Library as Symbol of Freedom for Iranian Refugee Family

Here’s a story about the first trip to a public library by a family who has recently immigrated from Iran and resides in Salt Lake City. While the story covers the broader issues of what it feels like to be in America, I like that it showcases how wondrous a public library can seem to someone who has never had such an experience, even if there are no books in Farsi. The rest from the Deseret Morning News.

June 21, 2004 by Uncategorized 2

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2 Responses

  1. nbruce says:
    June 21, 2004 at 7:43 pm

    Appreciating the library
    I too am always amazed when I go to a public library and see the vast riches from which I can select–and I’ve been doing that all my life. However, I am particularly impressed with the immigrant families (usually Asian in this community) I see with their young children in tow. Seeing them makes me appreciate what we have that much more because they are so delighted and earnest.

    Reply
  2. mdoneil says:
    June 23, 2004 at 3:41 am

    Green card & Library card
    Some of my friends who were born here (Dan you know who I mean) don’t have library cards. However all of the friends I have that immigrated to the US from other nations have library cards.
    Iran, Morocco, Cuba, Mexico, Honduras, Canada, the UK and Ireland: all of my friends from there have library cards, and most if not all got them long before they got their green cards (which are oddly not green).

    Now I am certain there are libraries in Canada, and Ireland just like in the States. I’ve been to them. There are libraries in Mexico but professional librarianship is not as widespread as it is in the States. My friend Tarik says there are librarys in Morocco, but that we have better and broader collections in the States. However I have never been to libraries in Cuba nor Iran, but my Cuban and Iranian friends love our public libraries.

    I was going to suggest that they make getting a library card a requirement for those seeking US citizenship, but perhaps it is those of us who don’t have cards- those of use citizens by birth- who should be made to get library cards. Freedom, find it @ your library (hiding from ALA’s lawyers now).

    Reply

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