Library
Arlington Public Library is reaching out to Haiti with the goal of helping rebuild the municipal library in the coastal town of Petit-Goâve a year after the devastating earthquake and aftershocks.
A year ago on Jan. 12, 2010, the poorest Caribbean nation was hit by a catastrophic quake measuring 7 on the Richter scale, which was followed by scores of deadly aftershocks. An estimated 230,000 people were killed and more than a million were left homeless. It was the worst natural disaster to hit the Haiti in two centuries. Petit-Goâve, some 40 miles southwest of the capital Port-au-Prince, lost about ten percent of its population, roughly 12,000 people. Today, a vast majority of Petit-Goâve residents are under the age of 18.
The town also saw its public library and dozens of schools destroyed, while thousands were forced to live in tent cities where they remain. Despite the devastation, Petit-Goâve library workers have been bringing books and stories to children in camps and shelters while officials look to replace their public library?one of only 20 in the country?at an estimated cost of $350,000. Four other Haitian libraries were completely destroyed by the quake.
Arlington Public Library?s Youth Services team has formed a sister-library partnership with their Petit-Goâve colleagues through the International Federation of Library Associations and American Library Association. Our goals include:
Haiti has only 12 professionally trained librarians. Françoise Beaulieu-Thybulle, the national director of Haiti?s libraries, says the generosity of libraries around the world has helped keep spirits alive as the recovery process goes on. ?We belong to a community of public servants around the world: caring, understanding, ready to help.?
A 9-year-old girl has already asked Petit-Goâve officials to make sure the new library is painted in the brightest of colors. Young Nalia told them the town has been "a dark, dull ghost town" since the earthquake and "if I had crayons, I?d show you how bright I mean."
Photos provided by Deborah J. Lazar, MILS, New Trier High School.
- What Makes A Winner?
Librarians provide programs for children living in encampments in Petit Goave. Maria, one of the librarians at Central Library, told us an excellent story about an Arlington teen and summer reading: A young teen girl came to the desk looking for a couple...
- "pocomoke Street Kids" Donate Lemonade Money For Haiti
Catherine, Meghan, Gwen and Simon (Ryan not pictured) On Saturday, July 9, four smiling faces walked into the Westover Branch Library, and handed the librarian on duty an envelope full of money, and a letter. Were they there to pay a fine? No! They had...
- Video: We Read For Haiti
As of July 30, 6811 kids have signed up for summer reading, and to help send money to rebuild the Petit Goave Library in Haiti. Desiree, youth services librarian at the Columbia Pike Branch Library, wrote up the full story for IFLA's June...
- Haitian Tap Tap Arrives At Westover Library
On Tuesday the Westover Branch Library celebrated the arrival of a replica Haitian Tap Tap bus which was created by students at the Langston-Brown After School Center. The painted buses serve as a visual reminder that reading this summer will not only...
- Haitian Tap Tap Bus Arrives At Shirlington
The Shirlington Branch Library is the proud owner of a Haitian Tap Tap Bus, designed by children at the Drew After School Center. The young artists from Drew worked for 2 months to create the bus, which is their contribution to the Summer Reading club...
Library
Helping Haiti--A New Partnership
Arlington Public Library is reaching out to Haiti with the goal of helping rebuild the municipal library in the coastal town of Petit-Goâve a year after the devastating earthquake and aftershocks.
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| Destroyed Petit-Goâve Library |
A year ago on Jan. 12, 2010, the poorest Caribbean nation was hit by a catastrophic quake measuring 7 on the Richter scale, which was followed by scores of deadly aftershocks. An estimated 230,000 people were killed and more than a million were left homeless. It was the worst natural disaster to hit the Haiti in two centuries. Petit-Goâve, some 40 miles southwest of the capital Port-au-Prince, lost about ten percent of its population, roughly 12,000 people. Today, a vast majority of Petit-Goâve residents are under the age of 18.
The town also saw its public library and dozens of schools destroyed, while thousands were forced to live in tent cities where they remain. Despite the devastation, Petit-Goâve library workers have been bringing books and stories to children in camps and shelters while officials look to replace their public library?one of only 20 in the country?at an estimated cost of $350,000. Four other Haitian libraries were completely destroyed by the quake.
Arlington Public Library?s Youth Services team has formed a sister-library partnership with their Petit-Goâve colleagues through the International Federation of Library Associations and American Library Association. Our goals include:
- Provide the municipal library with funds from the Friends of the Arlington Public Library
- 50 cents will be donated per Arlington child who completes his/her reading goal during the 2011 Get Caught Reading program (featuring the theme "One World, Many Stories") - Get Caught Reading activities will also offer ways for Arlington children to show solidarity with Petit-Goâve through artistic expression, i.e. portable murals, quilting, bookmark making, letter writing, puppet shows, blogging and storytelling
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| Tent camp storytime |
A 9-year-old girl has already asked Petit-Goâve officials to make sure the new library is painted in the brightest of colors. Young Nalia told them the town has been "a dark, dull ghost town" since the earthquake and "if I had crayons, I?d show you how bright I mean."
Photos provided by Deborah J. Lazar, MILS, New Trier High School.
- What Makes A Winner?
Librarians provide programs for children living in encampments in Petit Goave. Maria, one of the librarians at Central Library, told us an excellent story about an Arlington teen and summer reading: A young teen girl came to the desk looking for a couple...
- "pocomoke Street Kids" Donate Lemonade Money For Haiti
Catherine, Meghan, Gwen and Simon (Ryan not pictured) On Saturday, July 9, four smiling faces walked into the Westover Branch Library, and handed the librarian on duty an envelope full of money, and a letter. Were they there to pay a fine? No! They had...
- Video: We Read For Haiti
As of July 30, 6811 kids have signed up for summer reading, and to help send money to rebuild the Petit Goave Library in Haiti. Desiree, youth services librarian at the Columbia Pike Branch Library, wrote up the full story for IFLA's June...
- Haitian Tap Tap Arrives At Westover Library
On Tuesday the Westover Branch Library celebrated the arrival of a replica Haitian Tap Tap bus which was created by students at the Langston-Brown After School Center. The painted buses serve as a visual reminder that reading this summer will not only...
- Haitian Tap Tap Bus Arrives At Shirlington
The Shirlington Branch Library is the proud owner of a Haitian Tap Tap Bus, designed by children at the Drew After School Center. The young artists from Drew worked for 2 months to create the bus, which is their contribution to the Summer Reading club...