Many books in Finnish public libraries have been dirty and ugly up to
1960´s, and that was a real challenge to state authorities of libraries,
because of the negative image of public libraries. In their memoirs many
book lovers have told about the fear of library books´ diseases in their
childhood, although some of them remember library as their university of
life which gave the possibility for better life to working class members.
Exact advices were given to customers about handling books with dry and
clean hands and in case of infectious disease in the family. A piece of
paper was gummed on the book cover with all this information.
I started my public library career 20 years ago, and at that time good
librarianship ment e.g. clean books on the shelves.
In 1930´s there were 37 T.B. hospitals in Finland, and 9 of them had
library for their patients, although only two hospitals did apply
appropriation for new books.
Eija Eskola
Librarian and library historian
Lahti City Library - Regional Library
Finland
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|