By Keira Dignan | Project Coordinator
It’s been a few months since we wrote to you last. Last time we told you about how we adapted to run socially-distanced library sessions through the autumn. Unfortunately since then Greece has had to go back into lockdown. During this time our library has been doing what a lot of us have been doing - hibernating so that we can emerge from this winter stronger, by converting our new library van and planning for the year ahead.
Building the new library van
Our brilliant friend Kostas designed us a new interior that allows us to fit three times as many books. When we converted our first van, we’d never been in a mobile library before. After four years on the road we’ve now got some experience. With the brains of Aliki - who’s been a librarian for over fifty years - and Kostas - a trained carpenter - we dreamt up a design that fits three times as many books as before, and creates a friendly community space. Next came the building - with only two of us able to work at once - took a long time!
First we insulated, then put in the cork ceiling over the top. We then built the L-shaped bench round by the drivers cab and two book boxes for the kids’ books. Next came the beautiful tilted shelves that will stop the books falling out as we travel round winding Greek roads! Finally, it’s time to varnish. We can’t wait to show it to you when we’re done. Huge thanks to Kostas, Aliki, Kareem, Ayman, Hannah-Lily, Jono, Becca and Samer for your hard work.
Planning for the future
We’ve also been thinking about what our library does best, and brainstorming our plans for the future. We’ve received donations of over 200 beautiful Arabic and Farsi books to line our shelves when we’re able to open back up soon, and written our big targets for the year ahead. These are:
We can’t wait to open our doors to readers again very soon. In the meantime we are hibernating and giving the library some TLC so it’s even better when the moment comes.
Lots of love and solidarity from the library.
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