Chile's Public Libraries: Rebuilding After the Quake
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By Lauren Barack -- School Library Journal, 05/26/2010
It’s been three months since the devastating February 27 earthquake struck six regions along the central coast of Chile. Of 277 public libraries in the region that fall under the Directorate of Libraries, Archives and Museums (DIBAM), 98 were damaged so extensively from the quake and subsequent tidal wave that they collapsed or were forced to close. We spoke with Paola Gallegos, National Coordinator of the BiblioRedes Program (a program of the Directorate of Libraries, Archives, and Museums) by email, about how her country's public libraries are recovering.
What is your first priority?
The priority is funding the reconstruction efforts, repair infrastructure, to reopen libraries that, today more than ever, the community needs so much. Public libraries in Chile are meeting places for the community, where everyone has a place without exception; we have all worked very hard for them. Library workers struggle daily to deliver services. Today, many users who attended libraries are gone, and that is a very strong emotional blow to the libraries and the communities they serve because the library brings people together; there is friendship and love.
The San Javier public library.
Describe some of the worst damage?
The worst damage is definitely those libraries that have completely collapsed, that are completely destroyed, either by the earthquake or the tsunami that affected the coast of Chile. On the other hand, we have libraries with serious damage, such as fallen walls, broken windows, destroyed roofs, and shredded floors. The worst damage is at the infrastructure level, and of course it is understandable in the context that the force of the earthquake was stronger than that of Haiti and it covered a more extensive area.
How have services for children been affected?
In the areas affected by the disaster not just the libraries were damaged, but also many schools. For this, and so that children and youngsters to have an area of entertainment, and for them to have other activities, the public library becomes essential.
What’s being done?
Libraries, depending on the space available, have set up areas for different activities, and one of these spaces is the Kids Corner, where activities such as storytime, movies, arts and crafts, to name some activities, take place, and where age-specific literature is available. Also, many school ages are avid computer users in the public access computer service delivered at the public library. In the libraries where I have indicated that there are damages and are, thus, closed, these services are not being provided.
The San Pedro public library.
Where were you when the earthquake hit?
I was in my apartment. I live in Santiago on the 13th floor of the building. The truth, at first, I did not understand what was happening, and the movement was so strong that I could hardly walk. I got locked in my apartment, because I had problems with the door, which was locked, so I had to remove it to get out.
Has library staff been able to rescue any materials from fallen libraries?
Library workers, once again, are demonstrating their affection and attachment to the work they have developed in their libraries. A particular case comes to my mind, that of Dina Carripán, Head Librarian of the Tirúa Library, a small town on the coast side. Her library was in such good condition as she had earned grants and implemented projects to deliver more innovative services, and she had a fully equipped Bookmobile. But more than the damage from the earthquake, in the case of this small town it was the strength of the ocean as it was so great that it destroyed the books, the bookmobile, and computers. However, she went to the library the first chance she got, to remove the water, mud, remove the shelves, and clean as much as possible, but she was very sad to tell me that despite having made her best effort, the book shelves, which were made of iron, were rotting due to the salt. There are many more cases of library workers that have tried to save and protect the maximum amount of books and computers in their libraries.
The Tirúa public library.
How has public’s need for the libraries’ Internet access grown since the quake?
The demand for the service is very high, especially since the public library is the only place where there is free Internet access in 1 out of 3 municipal districts in Chile. Since the earthquake, libraries that are operating are focusing mainly on providing access to [the] Internet, as phones lines have collapsed and communication has been difficult in the affected regions. In some places, we have cases where the municipality building suffered serious damage to its infrastructure and some of their staff are operating form the library since there computers with Internet connectivity.
How can libraries and librarians globally assist Chile in their recovery?
Today, 10 libraries have been repaired, but we have 48 libraries that are still closed due to damage. I believe that any aid that can be delivered should be focused on infrastructure, fixing walls, windows, ceilings, so that the library can operate with the security of serving the public without concern that it is risky for them. Chile cannot forget its history, public libraries are important community centers, so I ask for help to lift them up and fix them.
