If we adapt to new times, how should libraries be?

Society has changed and libraries are in crisis. Most of the information we have in our pockets, so we have to look for something else. A library that, in addition to consulting encyclopedias, will collect the latest published novel, bring it home, learn and silence, will offer countless things. It has to be attractive to all and meet the needs of all.

What are the axes of the Ubera?

In addition to meeting the information needs, we must become a meeting point and create channels for this from our history and culture. The aim is for citizens to know each other and share knowledge. We want a living library. Develop critical thinking, promote cultural dynamics, develop creativity and relate it to fun. We go from a mere consumer to a creator.

What was in the village before Ubera?

In 1970, the cultural association Itsas Mendi created the public library. They used their headquarters and worked as volunteers. In 2006, the City managed to take over the library despite continuing to use the same space. We will say that Ubera is innovative, but there has always been connection with the community here. Thanks to them, today's one is open.

How has the Ubera training process been?

When we were at the headquarters of Itsas Mendi, we held a meeting to reflect with social and cultural actors, as well as with citizens and children. In 2014, we were given a definitive space, and we had to decide how to fill the empty space. In 2016, we made guided tours, placed images from other libraries, made it easier for boys and girls to draw plans and gather ideas through different dynamics.

Where have you seen in the search for models?

Northern European projects are very interesting, such as the Finnish library Aarhus. On the other hand, in Barcelona, for example, architects are designing libraries, in one of them they have built a kitchen in the center of the building. But we don't have that many resources. That is why we have set ourselves in Chile, which has very nice proposals that have been made with few resources. You've always seen the library as something that goes beyond life and physical space, bringing books to the plaza with a cart.

What resources do you have?

This is the municipal library, a project at the local level. In Pasaia, there are also four and we are one of them. Citizen participation and support have been fundamental.

What proposals have been put forward?

We've done collaborations. Together with the members of the Albaola Marine Factory we made a piece of furniture in the form of a boat, as the boys and girls proposed inside the library that they wanted it. The children made a mockup in a directed course and the experts built it. The cushions were also stitched by the village grandmothers and taught the children to sew. In addition, we organized a meeting with the Etxean Bizi program in which 12-year-old boys and girls organized games to play with the elderly. We have started the drawing course with an illustrator of the people.

History and culture are present.

It's important. Three years ago, we started shaping the Black Night. The proposal is to base the party on our culture. The impulse of criticity is also an axis of the Library: What is Halloween? What was that day in our people? It's an excuse to know and be our identity.

Some dynamics have come to life on their own.

In the process, a group was created: Friends of the Library. We've worked together all the time. Within this group, the Sanjuandarren Oromena group has been set up, which seeks to collect the testimonies of the people's grandparents and grandmothers. Using municipal resources, we also organize coffee tertulias with writers who come to the Hugoenea creation space. There is also a group of boys and girls who worship the library and organize a pajamas party.

Pajamas party in the library?

We made a ginkana with books, writers and clues. We also tell horror stories. It was very curious, before falling asleep, everyone started reading. That's the goal: to create a hobby from something improvised.

Children, adults too. Where are the young people?

It's a tough challenge. Despite organizing attractive activities, most of those who approach do not break with the concept of classical library come to study and work. But it is true that more and more are coming. It's a process.

What is the place of books and literature in this project?

The goal is not just to read books, but to exchange knowledge and stimulate learning or reading. A great deal of cooperation should be made with schools to promote education in literary reading. The involvement of people will depend on what has been done on our part, but it is also the responsibility of the community.