4.05.2005

more words. more priorities.

Last weekend there was a 24-hour "read-in" to raise money for libraries in Salinas, California. Unless the city can raise $500,000 by June 30, the John Steinbeck, Cesar Chavez and El Gabilan Libraries will close. Salinas, which helped shape one of America's greatest writers, would become the largest US city without a public library.

This story touches me - angers me - in so many ways. In addition to being passionate about books and public access to them, I have a deep personal connection to John Steinbeck. Steinbeck was my earliest writing hero. His books showed me, before I could fully understand or articulate it, the power of fiction to raise awareness and contribute to social change. (He was later joined by Charles Dickens and George Orwell this list, also before I understood the connections among them.)

I've made two Steinbeck pilgrimages, the first when his manuscripts and mementos were housed in ordinary glass cases in the local library bearing his name - the one now facing closure. We saw the hand-written The Grapes Of Wrath - which Steinbeck wrote in order, in one draft. (Oh. My. God.) When we returned many years later to the beautiful, comprehensive National Steinbeck Center, those manuscripts could be viewed by appointment only, so we were more fortunate than we knew.

From the New York Times story: "Sommer Brooke, 11, a sixth grader who spoke at the read-in, questioned how Salinas could close libraries in one breath and ask schools to raise reading test scores in the next. 'It is like feeding someone but giving them no food,' she said, 'teaching children to read but cutting off their access.'"

W just asked for another $82 billion for the war. Libraries may close for the lack of $500,000 - Pentagon chump change. Code Pink, the peace organization, co-sponsored the read-in - because there is a connection.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

It seems we Canadians are a happy bunch!!

ALPF

http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewItem&itemID=6621

Crabbi said...

This turns my stomach and breaks my heart.

L, We have a lot in common! I love Steinbeck and the Steinbeck Center.

Anonymous said...

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050406/AMBASSADOR06/TPInternational/TopStories

This is all we need!! Yeah!

ALPF

Anonymous said...

Hey,

Good news. Wish the fundraising wasn't necessary and wish we had our priorities straight, but at least the libraries will remain open for a few hours a week.

Crabletta