The National and University Library “Derviš Sušić” Tuzla collected 3.169 books in two separate actions, one in Tuzla library, and the second during the recent International Book Fair, which had a humanitarian character, with an emphasis on collecting books for the flooded libraries.
Employees of “Derviš Sušić”during the last days have visited libraries in Doboj, Maglaj and Olovo where they handed over books of a wide range of titles, from expert literature to fiction books.
“As Head of a cultural institution, I had a moral and professional obligation to help colleagues who turned to me for help. I understood immediately their requests and I decided to react for several reasons. These libraries have experienced a major disaster. It has been destroyed their book fond and premises”, said for the agency Fena, the Director of National and University Library Tuzla Edin Jahić.
Recent floods have led to the closure of libraries which would have long term consequences not only for libraries but also for their communities, because these institutions in smaller communities have a more important role than in larger urban centers.
“Libraries in smaller towns serve as cultural centers, meaning they are center of almost all cultural events in the city, while this is not the case in the larger urban centers, where libraries are performed solely for their core function. Closing of the library would mean the end of the cultural life in a local community”, said Jahić, who thanked all the citizens who donated books in these two parallel action.
Libraries in these three municipalities can normally continue their operation.
(Source: Fena)