Cuban Libraries Support Group

Cuban Library Support Group grows

The Cuban Library Support Group (CLSG) was set up in July 1999 to counter the lies being spread about Cuban libraries by the US government funded so-called "Friends of Cuban Libraries" (FCL). Since then the CLSG has attracted support from a wide range of individuals and organisations in Cuba, the UK and US.

Cuba

As reported in the last "Cuba Si", the CLSG have been invited to attend the second national congress of the Cuban Library Association (ASCUBI) in November 2000. A message of support has also been received from the Cuban Libraries Association of the City of Havana who "were notified in the national Council of ASCUBI of the activities you have made about the crass manoeuvre against our professionals outside Cuba. For this we send you our expressed gratitude for the position you have taken and you can count on the unconditional support of all our members".

The UK

The Cuba Solidarity Campaign "supports the work you are doing and would want to help as much as possible". Book Aid International have confirmed their "willingness to support Cuban libraries through the CLSG". Book Aid are working with CLSG to support the National Library Jose Marti and the Latin American Medical School in Havana.

Information for Social Change "welcome the formation of the CLSG...we endorse its aims and intend to support any projects that might ensue from it. We would also urge all other progressive library and information organisations to endorse and support the CLSG". Link, which helps libraries in developing countries, "supports the aims of the CSLG wholeheartedly".

The Library Association (LA) is "broadly supportive of librarians and the development of libraries in Cuba". The LA will ask "whether the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) has a position on the US blockade of Cuba". IFLA "recognises the considerable achievements in regard to libraries and literacy achieved in Cuba since 1959". IFLA "does not oppose the Cuban government nor does it endorse the FCL".

David Owen, a librarian working in Runcorn, asks "how can I help ? Please contact me if there are any library related issues or promotional work that can be done". Frank Black, an information worker in Colchester, joined CLSG after returning from a holiday in Cuba. During his stay he visited the new Ruben Villena library and was "very impressed by both the building and the dedication of the staff". Mike Weaver, from the Working Class Movement Library in Salford, is going to Cuba and asks "if there is anything I can do with a library support hat when in Havana" - an offer CLSG will be taking up.

The US

The Progressive Librarians Guild (PLG) is "happy to be able to add our organisation's sponsorship to the list of supporters of the CLSG". The PLG comment that "the US has historically and continually funded anti-Cuban government groups at a massive level. These so-called independent librarians have gotten US funds indirectly to help them in their activities These groups have the funding to do these kinds of campaigns".

Ann Sparanese of PLG points out "that these "independent" librarians are NOT librarians, nor, for that matter are they "independent" of the kind of support and material aid that Mr Kent (of FCL) by his own admission brought from the US to these people (NOT librarians, but activists of opposition political parties). They may be "independent of their own government but not from the US". Lincoln Cushing, another member of PLG who has been working with the National Library in Cuba, also offered his support.

Rory Litwin, who edits the library web-site "Library Juice", agrees that "the people Robert Kent is defending are not librarians. They are simply dissidents who have set up storefronts ("libraries") to disseminate their ideas". Jeanne Drewes of Michigan State University Libraries is "working to assist libraries and archives in Cuba. I believe that it would be useful to perhaps combine some of our efforts". Debbie Richards has asked for more information about CLSG and has offered to set up a website.

Krys Bottrill, who subscribes to the Internet lis-link network used by the FCL to spread rumours about the "harrasment of independent librarians", commented "I hope that the CLSG can do something about this. I asked a friend of mine from Santiago if he had heard anything, since one of the incidents supposedly had taken place there. He asked around but nobody had any information".

Al Kagan from the Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT) of the American Library Association says that "there is massive US government funding in opposition to the Cuban government, and much of that translates into funding the right wing Cubans in Miami. It seems clear that the FCL is affiliated with these organisations". The SRRT Action Council passed the following resolution at its recent meeting in San Antonio :

"The SRRT rejects the programme and position advocated by the "Friends of Cuban Libraries" as an instrument of the continuing propaganda campaign being waged against Cuba by right wing Cuban extremists in the US and financed by US government agencies. SRRT supports an increase of exchanges between US librarians and Cuban libraries. SRRT joins the British organisation, Cuban Libraries Support Group, which advocates a positive program of interaction with, and support for, libraries and librarians in Cuba."

9th Havana International Book Fair - a great success

The CLSG sent greetings to the 9th Havana International Book Fair (9 - 15 February 2000) , which was a testament to the Cuban revolution's investment in books, libraries, education and literacy. The Book Fair, held in the San Carlos de la Cabana, paid tribute to Cuban writer Cintio Vitier. Omar Gonzalez, president of the Cuban Book Institute (ICL), explained that the Cabana offered the Book Fair more than 14 vaults for exhibition areas and other indoor spaces for launches and conferences.

Over 600 companies from 30 countries attended the fair. Europe was well represented and the Fair's guest of honour was Italy, who took over 80 publishing houses. A special edition of Pinocchio was launched at the Fair. Spain was represented by several publishing houses and the Ministry of Culture. Germany took 6000 titles. The UK, France and Austria had six of their writers in attendance. Seven Latin American countries had stands, plus eight from the English-speaking Caribbean and Puerto Rico. Africa was represented by 46 publishing houses from 12 countries. Japan, China and Iran, plus publications from UNESCO, UNICEF and the UN Development Program completed the list of foreign exhibitors.

In addition to the ICL's own publishing houses, demonstrating a recovery this year with more than 300 titles in 1999, Cuba was represented by a further 25 publishing houses. The Fair had an intensive literary programme, including the launch of over 100 books, the presentation of national awards and a colloquium on the works of National Literature Prize winner Cintio Vitier. The professional program, with the participation of publishers, printers, critics and designers convened to discuss the general theme "Books facing the new millenium".

Kenya Liberation Collection

CLSG has offered a solidarity book collection - the Kenyan Liberation Collection (KLC) - to ASCUBI. The collection was donated by Shiraz Durrani of Vita Books, a small alternative publisher specialising in books on anti-imperialist struggles and the establishment of just and democratic societies. It seeks to give voice to those who otherwise would remain voiceless. Vita Books co-publishes its titles with the Mau Mau Research Centre, New York.

The KLC contains nine titles : Mother Kenya (Maina Wa Kinyatti) ; Justice on Trial (Koigi Wa Wamere) ; Kenya Uhuru (ILRIG) ; Kenya - register of resistance (Mwakenya) ; The draft minimum programme (Mwakenya) ; Moi's reign of terror (Umoja) ; Kenya Democracy Plank (Mwakenya) ; A season of blood (Maina Wa Kinyatti) ; Kenya - a prison notebook (Maina Wa Kinyatti). There are multiple copies of each title - the collection totals 450 volumes - which will make this an ideal collection for a Cuban University library. CLSG will work in partnership with Vita Books to maintain the collection once it is established.

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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