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Cuban
Libraries
Solidarity Group |
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Cuban
Libraries
Solidarity Group |
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Press
releases, News, and articles Facts
about Cuban education, literacy and libraries Rory Litwin, editor
of Library Juice has produced
six Cuba Supplements for Library Juice:
Please send comments, questions, and corrections regarding this website to John Pateman. John Pateman is a member of the Society of Chief Librarians and has visited Cuban libraries in 1993, 1995, 1999, 2000, and 2003. Images:
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"Solidarity
is not charity, At the Third International Congress of Culture and Development, held in Havana, Cuba, from 9-12 June 2003, the Cuban Library Support Group was relaunched as the Cuban Libraries Solidarity Group (CLSG).The organization was established on July 1, 1999 to support: * Cuban libraries, librarians, library and information workers and the Cuban Library Association (ASCUBI). * Cuba's free and comprehensive education system and high literacy levels. * The Cuban people's right to self-determination and to choose the social, political and economic systems which support their library service. Since its formation, the CLSG has: · Worked with a wide range of partners to support Cuban libraries: Book Aid International, Cuba Solidarity Campaign, Cuban Library Association, Information for Social Change, Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) , Link, Progressive Librarians Guild, Social Responsibilities Round of the American Library Association, BIS. · Sent books and journals to a number of Cuban libraries and organisations: University of Santa Clara, University of Havana, Ministry of Health, Proinfo (library school), GELI (language institute), Biblioteca Nacional Jose Marti, Biblioteca Publica Provincial Ruben M Villena, Institutes of Nefrologia, Cardiology and Anaesthesiology, Institute Cubana Amist Pueblo, Ciego de Avila Ctr Hygeine and the Latin American Medical School. · Campaigned for: respect for Cuba's right to sovereignty and independence; an end to interference in Cuba's internal affairs by foreign governments; an end to the US economic blockade of Cuba; the normalisation by the US of all diplomatic, cultural, scientific and travel relations with Cuba · Responded to a report on Cuban libraries produced by the Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression (FAIFE) committee of IFLA in 1999. Much of the mis-information in this report was supplied by Robert Kent and the so-called "Friends of Cuban Libraries". This group is, in fact, funded by the US government. The group leader, Robert Kent, has taken books and pamphlets to Cuba for Freedom House and the Centre for a Free Cuba, both of which are funded by the US Agency for International Development. On three occasions his travel expenses were paid by Freedom House or the Centre for a Free Cuba. · Placed letters and articles in the professional press, the "Morning Star" daily newspaper, and "Cuba Si" (journal of the Cuba Solidarity Campaign) countering the lies and propaganda being circulated by Robert Kent. In April 2000 members of CLSG visited a so-called "independent library" in Havana and exposed it as a front for counter revolutionary activity. CLSG issued a discussion paper about this visit, along with articles by Rhonda L. Neugebauer (Cuban Libraries: challenges and achievements) and Larry R. Oberg (Cuba Today, tomorrow, forever). · Submitted a statement to the American Library Association (ALA) International Relations Committee and to ALA Council in 2001 on the issue of the so-called "independent libraries movement" in Cuba. The CLSG position is that these are neither "independent" or "libraries" and that they are part of the US government's continual attempt to undermine and destabilise Cuba's political, economic and social systems · Supported the agreements between ASCUBI, ALA and IFLA signed at the IFLA conference in Boston in 2001 · Responded to the FAIFE media release on Intellectual Freedom in Cuba on 8 May 2003: "Once again, IFLA urges the Cuban government to eliminate obstacles to access to information imposed by its policies", said the Chair of the IFLA/FAIFE Committee Mr Alex Byrne. CLSG responded to this statement by pointing out that the biggest "obstacle to access to information", and access to many other goods and services, was the illegal US blockade of Cuba. CLSG also circulated a briefing paper giving "background information pertaining to recent events in Cuba". This was with regard to the 65 so-called "dissidents", including some "independent librarians" who were arrested, tried and imprisoned in April 2003. They were charged and convicted of conducting "mercenary activity in the pay of a foreign enemy power". They were found guilty of receiving sustained financial assistance, gifts and equipment and of having been recruited by the head of the US Interests Section in Havana, James Cason, to carry out counter-revolutionary activities. In addition to continuing all of the above work, the CLSG will also: · Work with its partners and other agencies to disseminate information about the Cuban library system · Produce articles for publication and arrange meetings to discuss the Cuban education and library systems · Organise study tours to Cuba to visit libraries and meet with Cuban librarians and library and information workers. The next study tour will be in February 2004 to coincide with the Havana International Book Fair. · Support the Cuban National Programme for the Development of Reading. This is a strategic, long term programme based on the collective efforts of all those groups and institutions interested in promoting books and reading among the Cuban people. These include: Biblioteca Nacional Jose Marti; Cuban Institute of the Book; Cuban Society of Friends of the Book; Cuban Institute of Radio and Television; the National Centre of Community Culture · Sign a Protocol Agreement for close co-operation and collaboration with ASCUBI, Biblioteca Nacional Jose Marti and Link · Work with Greater London UNISON to develop a twinning link with Pinar Del Rio National Union of Public Administration Workers (SNTAP) · Campaign for the release of the five Cuban patriots who have been imprisoned in America for exposing the US terrorist threat to Cuba · Seek to influence UK and European Union policy on Cuba, on issues such as Cuba's application to join the Cotonou Agreement regulating economic cooperation relations between the EU and the 79 countries that make up the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group (ACP). Cuba withdrew their application to join when Spain and Britain attempted to establish additional and discriminatory requirements for Cuba. CLSG will also campaign for changes to the EU Common Position on Cuba, particularly with regard to recent measures (June 2003) which will reduce the participation of member states in cultural events. |