Témoignages

Wherever you are, the next library is only a bike ride away… just over the hill…

C4L has changed my thoughts about my occupation and about libraries. After learning to know colleagues from different countries, I´m more sure that we really share some values as librarians, not only in theory or “in principle” or only for the publicity. It´s obvious that we in our libraries really work for democracy and for sharing thought, knowledge and ideas. C4L has thus helped me to see the real values of the libraries. The world is a better place because there are libraries – and people in the libraries who want to do something useful.

Une image qui restera dans ma mémoire : une longue chaîne de cyclistes entrant dans une petite ville, accompagnée du tintement joyeux d’une centaine de sonnettes de bicyclette. Sur la place du village, sous les platanes: les joueurs de pétanque, les buveurs d’apéritifs. Vin et pastis. Regards perplexes. Quelqu’un salue, quelqu’un sourit, quelqu’un nous encourage. La douce France …

C4L is a library advocacy project on a global scale that connects librarians, libraries and bicycling. Librarians have a lot to say about providing access to information and possibilities that libraries can offer. Our long routes, willingness to ride and willingness to learn are examples of optimism and collaboration. Join us and spread the word. Libraries are not obsolete.

Souvent on nous disait, tout en s’excusant : « Nous avons un peu de retard ». Mais les bâtiments neufs et rénovés racontaient une autre histoire : celle de l’amour des collections, du public et de la profession, tout ça dans un processus permanent de réconciliation des nouveaux médias, des nouveaux besoins et des nouvelles compétences qu’on devra apprendre. ‘The best of both worlds’ : sans oublier le passé avoir l’œil pour l’avenir, à la service des plus vulnérables dans la société. Inspirant.

Faire du vélo avec une centaine de bibliothécaires et de supporters , ça résulte dans une multitude de kilomètres et d’entretiens captivants. En France, 2014 a été proclamée comme l’année des Bibliothèques. Avec Cyclo-biblio nous y avons ajouté une « Semaine des bibliothécaires »

Certaines bibliothèques avaient une collection audiovisuelle qui nous faisait rêver : Netflix, mais alors dans la bibliothèque. Cent cyclistes, ça signifiait aussi chanter « joyeux anniversaire dans des langues inconnues, courir dans les dortoirs de collèges à la recherche d’un lit et crier haut et fort « We are cycling for libraries, nous sommes Cyclo-biblio».

Le souvenir d’un moment exceptionnel où nous avons vu arriver près d’une centaine de collègues, fatigués amis toujours enthousiastes et en tenue ! Nous avons étrenné pour l’occasion nos nouveaux gilets “hors les murs”, et nous étions nombreux, à la médiathèque La Part-Dieu, pour faire visiter l’exposition “Trésors !” et raconter l’histoire de cette grande bibliothèque de 1972.

I have been on two C4L tours and both were inspirational. The fantastic scenery and routes are all the more appreciated on the pace of a bike. The wonderful, diverse group of people were from all over the world and getting to chat with each and every one of them over a week’s time was surprisingly easy. Sharing the many fun times or the few trying ones (thunderstorms and flat tires) as you ride through the countryside ensures a connection and a common bond and when the journey is completed you feel as you have known these people forever, and not just for a mere week. Although I am not a librarian, but a designer, the visits to each library were an inspiration. Not only for my architectural fascination, but for the enrichment I learned at how libraries continue to function as a social hub and consciousness of a city. They are the one common place we have around this world where each and every person, no matter of income, can reach for social and intellectual fulfillment. I applaud the C4L initiative, its hardworking volunteers, and its members in the common goal to ensure that all countries provide their citizens with this invaluable resource…. a library.

I have participated in two Cycling for Libraries tours, both of which were unforgettable experiences that left me with a real sense of satisfaction at what we had achieved and renewed passion for my chosen profession. As well as being a unique opportunity to travel with so many like-minded people, it also gave us all the chance to make a collective statement about the continued importance of libraries globally at a time when such advocacy has never been so badly needed. Away from this serious side, there are plenty of good times to be had along the way too and I cannot recommend it highly enough!