“Include the adults.”
That was a sound advice that I got from Viviana Quinones, the chairperson of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) Section Libraries for Children and Young Adults, when I asked how we could best encourage children to read.
She shared this citing the example of an African website called Nal’ibali, a national reading-for-enjoyment campaign in Africa “to spark children’s potential through storytelling and reading”. Nal’ibali means “here’s the story”.
“Nalibali is great! You can find a lot of resources from their site. They do a lot of work with adults. They show adults how important it is for children to succeed and how they can be of help in helping them succeed. That can start with teaching them how to read,” Viviana shared to me during our short interview at the Bibliothèque nationale de France (National Library of France) in Paris last January 29.
“Many adults have not fully understood the importance of reading. Because they did not grow up and experienced a culture of reading themselves, chances are they won’t feel the need to make their children read…. It is important to address adults and children together, and give adults a great experience in reading,” she added.
I have been hooked to Nal’ibali ever since Viviana shared it to me. In our very short interview – because she had to rush for an important task – I was simply mesmerized by her openness in sharing what she knows so that I too can help spread the good news to as many people as I can. If you happen to read this, please share this site. I guarantee that this is one website you should encourage your partners, colleagues, friends or family members to check out.
Viviana also shared an exhibit entitled “The World Through Picture Books” where 10 Filipino storybooks were also feature. How cool is that?!
How did I meet Viviana in Paris?
Here’s the back story.
I was the one who first sent her an email asking if I could visit Bibliothèque nationale de France (National Library of France) in Paris since I will be there on two legs – January 25 to 31 and February 6 to 9. I asked if I could ask her some questions about reading and books which I could share in this weblog. She said yes.
We agreed on a January 29 visit at 5:30 in the afternoon as soon as Jeff and I are done with our museum tour.
She said her name is Viviana Quinones. I found her name in the Call for Paper Submissions of the Internal Federation of Library Associations.
Interesting last name. She might be Filipino. But she would have told me if she is. She didn’t. So I guessed, she must be Spanish.
On the day we decided to meet, I was running like crazy from the east entrance of the humongous library with Jeff urging me to stop taking pictures because we were minutes away from being late. We just came from a whole afternoon tour of The Louvre (and we didn’t even finish it!) and we just took the cab from the museum to the library because we miscalculated our time of departure. I was also suffering from a blistered right foot and it was just impossible to walk faster.
The moment I saw the entire complex, I was speechless and was just smiling the entire time as we were approaching the entrance. Jeff said I looked like a little girl, who was just given a house full of candies and lollipops. From the outside, it looked like a hotel with life-sized glass walls. It was almost dusk when we arrived. The wind was especially unforgiving and the rain decided to pour its sadness on the entire city. If I remember it right, I think I saw trees in between two buildings and made a mental note to ask my architect-brother about the possibility of creating a green space in my tiny house in Liloan, Cebu.
We were given temporary entrance pass by a friendly woman at the reception and directed us to Hall F (or was it G?) which she said Madame Quinones is staying. Viviana is the chairperson of the IFLA Section Libraries for Children and Young Adults.
She found me before I found her as I was just about to enter the door. She ushered me inside a room where people were in their individual “open cubicles” reading and writing notes.
After our interview, Viviana showed me a corner where a mini exhibit of picture storybooks was displayed. She told me that 10 Filipino storybooks made it in the Japan exhibit.
Viviana, who hails from Argentina but has been living in France for 30 years, said France has a rich network of libraries.
At the Section for Children and Young Adults, she said they print an annual list of top book titles which they recommend to schools and other libraries. I told Viviana that I cannot help but be sad about the state of our libraries in the Philippines.
While they are working towards being a library of the future, our libraries are stuck in the past – literally and figuratively. I am certain that several people are working hard to make our libraries relevant in the present context but without adequate government support, we will forever be stuck at the saying that the best is yet to come.
It is not a lost cause though. Making our libraries relevant is not a sole responsibility of librarians; it is a mass action that requires concerted push and encouragement from all sectors. Teachers can find ways to make students visit the library. Parents can be more creative in bringing children to the library. Youth groups can hold activities in the library. There are endless possibilities.
Visiting the national library of France was more than just an enriching personal experience. It was a reality check that the Philippine libraries are too far from being the best in the world. There is so much to be done which gives each Filipino the challenge to think of something to make our libraries alive.
P.S.: I know, I know you were looking for Viviana’s photo. But big bummer, my phone died just as we said goodbye to each other. 🙁
