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Dear Sir,

I am writing in response to Mr. [Tim] Hall's story of November 28 regarding the Bermuda National Library. It is a topic near to my heart as I spent three wonderful years working as a children's librarian there. Unfortunately I am writing to tell you that the problem is much bigger than the article suggests.

    Bermuda does not have a library culture. The regular and casual use of the public library has simply never become a societal habit. In the past, I am told, there were racial barriers to using the library. Although not expressly forbidden, black Bermudians were discouraged from making use of the place.

This heinous negation of the true purpose of libraries took place decades ago and has not been the case for at least two generations now but the scar is clearly still healing. When I worked there I was the only white male in the organization and the only ex-pat on staff. Your library is staffed by a wonderfully representative cross-section of Bermudian society. There are no persons now to whom the doors are closed.

    Perhaps part of this reticence is due to the fact that Bermuda does not see what libraries are capable of. Modern libraries are much more than collections of books and free Internet access. Libraries today are cultural centres. They are a community meeting ground, they have auditoriums for concerts, galleries for local artists, and lots of bathrooms all in a safe and aesthetically pleasing space.

Where is the purpose-built facility, the building designed as a library and built expressly for that purpose? Where are the branch libraries in Somerset and St. George's? Why do citizens who live at the outer ends of the island have to make the long trek into Hamilton to access the materials they have a right to as citizens? Where is the bookmobile, or better yet bookferry, to bring literacy into the heart of the community?

    What I always found stunning was that these issues were in place in the nation of Bermuda. In my short time there I learned so much about the unique culture, history, and society of the island. It is an incredible mélange of people with a singular place in world history, an amazing biosphere, and a vibrant artistic tradition.

This is not some backwater village where the library has lost its way, it is the proud nation of Bermuda. Where is the cultural storehouse? Where is the repository of national identity? Why does Government overlook this hole in the social fabric?

    While I worked there Government did not even own the buildings the library is housed in. The national library of an incredible people rented the roof over its head. What will happen if the building's owners decide to go with another tenant? Should the cultural heart of the community have to fear being put out on the street?

The library is not a priority for Government. Although tens of millions of dollars have been spent on sport in recent years the proposal for a new library has never been seriously discussed nor will it unless you the people make them talk about it.

    I am very grateful to my colleagues at the Bermuda National Library for the opportunities they afforded me and the skills and experience that I gained there. A greater debt of gratitude goes to the families and young people whom I had the privilege of serving. As a former public servant I beg you, the community, to raise your voices on this issue. It is up to you, Bermuda, to fight for the library you deserve.

Christian Zabriskie

Senior Librarian II,

Young Adult Services,

Queens Library,

New York.[[In-content Ad]]

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