Iwate Mobile Library Project News Release vol.9
18, October 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
Otsuchi City Library, Opening soon
Mobile library supported by SVA, will be going around Rikuzentakada city, Ofunato City Sanriku-cho, Otsuchi-cho, and the Yamada –cho of Iwate Prefecture where the big earthquake left a massive damage in the city. The ideal of this project is to provide various kinds of book such as novels, comics, children’s book, and etc. to the refugees of Iwate prefecture who is still having hard time after the earthquake.
Within this project, we have created a small library in most of the temporary houses in Otsuchi city.
Wanting to make the bookshelves of Iwata
In order to make library, we must have bookshelves to keep the books. Ordering the bookshelves on the internet will be the easiest but we have asked the carpenter of Iwate if they can make them of us. One of SVA staff asked a carpenter who works at Iwate but got a reply back saying “we would like to help but, all the workers here are now out creating temporary houses to the refugees”. But was introduced to another carpenter who might be able to do the work.
The owner this carpentry shop was willing to do the work but again, he was not quite sure when he can built all 25 bookshelves as he too had other works in his hand. One of the major events called Touno Matsuri of Touno city was coming up. We understood his situation but he was our only hope so we officially asked him to do the job.
Surprisingly, 2 weeks after we officially ordered the work, we got a call back from the owner saying he is almost done making 25 bookshelves. He had worked very hard for us creating the bookshelves in his spare time, wanting to see people becoming happy being able to read books.
Iwate Mobile Library Project News Release vol.8
06, September 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Do you have these kinds of book?” requests from the Refugees
Growing request
Recipe books and gardening books are very popular where ever you go. Mystery novels written by Higashino Keigo and Miyabe Miyuki are also popular. SVA are trying to gather these popular books and have them in stock when we go around the temporary houses.
It’s been a month after this mobile library has started and we are seeing a change in the request we are getting from the refugees. ‘How to’ books for knitting are becoming very popular to women above 50s as they say “we have nothing much to do…” Next, Japanese dictionaries too are popular as many wants to write letters but sometimes need to dictionary to figure out the ‘Kanji’. We first thought Dictionaries will not have much needs but have realized that various kinds of books are being needed to the refugees.
Novels written by Jakucho Setouhi, Misuzu Kaneko, Kyoutaro Nishimura, Yasuo Uchida, Hiroshi Mori, and etc. are becoming popular and is being requested all the time. Also, books with bigger word size are being requested. The reason for this may vary but these kinds of detailed request are growing.
Requests from the refugees are becoming detailed but we are thinking this is showing that we SVA are creating a stronger bond with the refugees. And we are very glad that this relationship is being created.
We have only limit to the Puzzle books where you have to write in the book, we try to give the book when we have a lot of stock of these.
Iwate Mobile Library Project News Release vol.7
6 September 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
"The Last Look At The Summer Version Of The Mobile Library?" (6 September 2011)
A mobile library car is inevitable for the mobile library program. Mobile library cars are usually remodeled minibus or trucks that can hold around 1,500 to 3,000 books. However, what has supported the "Iwate Mobile Library Project" in the past 2 months since the beginning of the project is a pickup truck with bookshelves on the rear deck.
Iwate Mobile Library Project News Release vol.6
12 August 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
Accidents one after another, but will keep going
Mobile library supported by SVA, will be going around Rikuzentakada city, Ofunato City Sanriku-cho, Otsuchi-cho, and the Yamada -cho of Iwate Prefecture where the big earthquake left a massive damage in the city.
Windy weather, trouble with the car; accidents always comes together with the Outdoor activities. The SVA member will fight back even if any trouble happens.
Completely exhausted from the heat (July 17th, Rikuzentakada)
The first day of the mobile library was the battle with heat. Although the nervousness were seen by each staff member, the heat had completely melted that as the temperature had exceeded to 35℃. Keep concentrating was very hard in this environment but to prevent any trouble to happen during this event, we worked as a team taking care of each other.
Cold!! (July 23rd, Ofunato)
On July 23rd, the temperature dropped down under 20℃ and was very cold compared to the previous week. Blowing wind was very cold, and the rain stated falling which pulled the temperature down. The strong wing blew the flags, desks, and chairs that we have set for people.
During the event, another earthquake struck, which the intensity was 5. People who had gathered to check out the books were frightened as the road shook so hard. We have realized the importance of discussing how to correspond to the sudden change of weather, earthquake, and etc. which can lead to danger to the citizens who gathered around the mobile library.
Iwate Mobile Library Project News Release vol.5
6 August 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
Voices from People about the Mobile Library
Mobile library supported by SVA, will be going around Rikuzentakada city, Ofunato City Sanriku-cho, Otsuchi-cho, and the Yamada –cho of Iwate Prefecture where the big earthquake left a massive damage in the city.From July 30th, the mobile library will also start going around the Otsuchi City. About 10% of the Otsuchi city population had died or are still missing, the library are damaged with no hope of recovery. After finishing the first round trip, the mobile library will start their 2 round trip to Rikuzentakada from July 31st.
"Very Thankful that we can borrow books", voice from refugees
We were waiting for you!!" said one lady running down the brick stairs."I want to borrow a books that makes me happy", "Do you have any mystery novels?"People had gathered around the books talking to each other.
For the voices from the refugees such as "it is great that we can borrow books while living in the temporary houses", it makes us want to say "Thank you for borrowing the books". Here are some of the voices we have received from the refugees while going around the temporary houses with the mobile library."Do you have any recipe book since we have only limited ingredients here?" Recipe books are very popular for all temporary houses. "Do you have any book that shows how to raise flower in a planter as we do not have much space here?" "Do you have any books that show how to write a thank you letter, as I want to send one to the volunteer?" Or even there were people saying they would like to start reading books since they have lost everything and have nothing to do right now... Not only about the books are shared here. There were one saying "Our grandmother is still missing, and my son is still looking for her"
Children too gather here. We would read books to them, draw together, fold Origami, or even hide-and-seek. Sad part is that they will not let us go when the time comes to close the library. They will ask us when is the next time we will visit there area.
This mobile library is becoming a place for people to gather around talk about anything. We are very happy about this, shows that we are somewhat supporting the people who are suffering from the disaster. We would like to cherish the voices/ comments we have received.
■Backup: Rikuzentakata Board of Education, Iwate Prefectural Library, Japan Library
■Association Cooperation: 3.11 Iwate Picture book Project
Iwate Mobile Library Project News Release vol.4
29 July 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
Reading again the favorite book
“It was my favorite book, but was washed away”
Mothers brought their children to the ‘mobile Library’ located in Rikuzentakada city Auto Camp - Mobilio. One mother said “This book was my child’s favorite book,we had the same copy at our house, but was washed away by the Tsunami”.
“I would like to read this book again since I had the same copy at my house. I feel relived having the favorite books around.” One said, requesting for other books she likes.
We will do our best to to deliver peoples favorite books, memorable books all over the city.
Iwate Mobile Library Project News Release vol.2
23 July 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
The “Mobile Library Project” Starts in Ofunato City and Yamada-cho
The situation of the Library of Ofunato City and Yamada-cho
Ofunato City had two libraries and one of them was completely damaged and all books were washed away. As for this library, it is not in the state of reopening.
Building of the Public library of Yamada-cho was luckily not damaged but all the books that were stored were all washed away. The city is trying to reopen the library but this autumn at the earliest.
Iwate Mobile Library Project News Release vol.1
July 17th, “Iwate Mobile Library Project” Starts
Mobile library will be going around Rikuzentakada city, Ofunato City Sanriku-cho, Otsuchi-cho, and the Yamada –cho of Iwate Prefecture where the big earthquake on March 11th left a massive damage in the city. The first service will start from Rikuzentakata City on July 17th.
The situation of the Library of Rikuzentakata City
The Public Library of Rikuzentakata City was completely destroyed. Most of the books and supplies were washed away. Other books were covered with mud and impossible to read. All the librarians either died or are still missing, and not in the state of reopening the library.
As all the bookstores in Rikuzentakata city were destroyed, our aim is to help the victims by bring back the ‘books’ to their lives.
