Here in the UK there is much discussion about libraries: their use and purpose, the need to have them (or not), the benefits and the costs.
All over the country libraries have been hit hard in the era of “austerity”. Hours cut, staff cut, sometimes libraries closed completely. Good-intentioned volunteers have sometimes stepped in, but are rarely a proper substitute for a trained librarian.
Then there are schools. While libraries are mandatory in prisons, they are not in schools, and many schools don’t bother with them anymore. Meanwhile, literacy standards fall.
See a link? I do. I can’t believe the argument for libraries even needs to be made. I am incredulous that, in a civilised world (so called) we need to have this “conversation”.
But then, a surprise. I was invited to the small town of Olesa de Montserrat in Catalunya (half an hour from Barcelona) a few weeks ago, to tell a Spanish folk tale at their library. I would tell it in English (with my up-side down illustrations) while a translator (thanks to local boy Antonio Reche-Martinez) gave the story, line by line, in Spanish.
On the day, possibly the worst storm in living memory swept down from the Montserrat mountains, and Olesa was awash with water, flooding down the streets. Henry Higgins was sadly misinformed about the rain in Spain being mainly in the Plain. Clearly no-one would come in such weather. I steeled myself for the usual embarrassment and disappointment of a no-show audience as the rain streamed down the windows.
I had decorated the stage with around 70 oranges to go with the story: La Infanta Naranja (The Orange Princess) I thought everyone could take an orange home.
I suddenly realised I was going to be eating a lot of oranges by myself!
But then – with umbrellas and boots and coats – they came: the great and good of this little town did me the unimaginable honour of COMING! Yes, bedraggled and determined, they came in droves and filled the library up with eager children and smiling parents. And so the story was told, the oranges were distributed, pictures donated, invitations to return extended…and all was wonderful.
Chatting afterwards, I talked about libraries and closures and cuts… and was met with shock and surprise. In Olesa, and throughout Spain (in spite of economic challenges far beyond those in the UK), libraries are funded, are open, are used and respected and loved and enjoyed. They are properly supported, and Olesa library was superbly well stocked. They are not full of computers and DVDs (they have them in moderation), they are innovate and successful because… wait for it… they are full of BOOKS!
I had a wonderful evening, and my thanks to Espe Piga and her team for inviting me to the library and for the very warm welcome, and the gift (local and superb olive oil).
And what’s the best way to follow a glut of oranges? Churros and chocolate of course!
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