Cuban Libraries Support Group

The Havana Book Fair and libraries in Cuba

This was the title of the first talk in a new series organised by the International Group of the Library Association (IGLA). The event was held at the Library Association on 29 March. The audience included members of IGLA, the Cuban Library Support Group, Information for Social Change, Link, Cuba Solidarity Campaign and Book Aid International (including a visiting librarian from Zambia). Also present were library and information students, a columnist from the "Library Association Record" (journal of the Library Association) and a volunteer worker from the Pathfinder bookshop.

The speaker was Jonathan Silberman who attended the 9th International Havana Book Fair in February 2000 as a representative of Pathfinder Books. The Book Fair was a great success and attracted 200,000 people ; the last Book Fair, in 1998, was visited by 40,000 people.

Many people visited the Pathfinder stall to read and discuss the books on display. These included 3 new titles which were launched at the Book Fair :

the Spanish version of "Capitalismís World Disorder" by Jack Barnes ; "Che Guevara talks to young people", jointly published with Casa Editora Abril ; and "Making History", interviews with four generals of Cubaís Revolutionary Armed Forces.

Pathfinder did not have to submit a titles list in advance of the Book Fair, which dispels the myth surrounding censorship in Cuba. The Book Fair included a number of events, such as the launch of a new version of the childrenís classic Pinnochio by an Italian publishing house (the Book Fair was sponsored by Italy).

The Book Fair illustrated that Cuban publishing is getting back onto its feet after the effects of the US blockade and the collapse of trade with the USSR, which Cubans refer to as the Special Period. The hunger for books and reading is still strong and Pathfinder donated any books which they did not sell to Cuban libraries. You can support this effort via Pathfinderís "Books for Cuba" fund.

Jonathan visited the new provincial public library in Havana and attended a meeting of Cuban librarians, including Eliades Acosta, Director of the Jose Marti National Library. The so-called "independent library movement" was dismissed as being neither independent nor a movement, and none of its members were librarians. Eliades called on people to visit Cuba and see for themselves.

Jonathan answered a number of questions from the audience and the event was a great success. Future events will be held on 21 June, 19 July, 20 September, 18 October and 15 November.

For more information about the Cuban Libraries Support Group, contact John Pateman at John.Pateman@merton.gov.uk

John Pateman is a member of the Society of Chief Librarians and has visited Cuban libraries in 1993, 1995, 1999 and 2000.

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