Libraries under Attack: The Destruction of Libraries

and the Role of the International Community in

Protecting and Aiding LibrariesSonja Kujansuu

Aberystwyth University2015

Purpose of study• To examine the ideology behind the reasons why

libraries and books are targets for destruction during times of war and civil unrest • To examine what international organizations have

been doing to help affected libraries and the ways in which they provide aid

How I chose my topic• Interested in preservation of collections• Wanted to focus on destruction of library collections• Inspired by an article which was on the intentional destruction of

library collections during times of war• Became interested in the idea of the intentional destruction of library

collections and the reasons behind why they are a target• Focused on international organizations because of my interest in what

was being done to protect and aid libraries and library collections

Sources I used• Primary and secondary sources including:• Monographs• Journal articles• News reports• Websites of international organizations and their legislation, reports,

studies and statements• Attended a symposium

Brief overview of the study

• Examined the significance of libraries and books and how they are seen as a threat to various opposing and extremist ideological views and are targets for erasing the cultural heritage and collective memories of others.• Looked at historical examples of the destruction of libraries in wars and civil

unrest, such as the treatment of Jewish libraries by Nazis, the two World Wars, and the Mao dictatorship in China. • Focused on four modern case studies: The Balkans, Ukraine, Mali and Iraq• Examined roles that international organizations such as UNESCO, IFLA and

Blue Shield play in creating legislation and providing aid to libraries and protection of books affected by wars and civil unrest.

Balkan Wars• Sarajevo: National

Library under attack

Source: http://www.dw.com/en/burned-library-symbolizes-multiethnic-sarajevo/a-16192965

Ukraine• Kiev: Barricades

outside the National Parliamentary Library

Source: http://publishingperspectives.com/2014/03/activists-soldiers-move-to-protect-libraries-in-ukraine/#.Vj-_xbfhDIU

Mali • Timbuktu: A

damaged manuscript at the Ahmed Baba Institute

Source: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/23/book-rustlers-timbuktu-mali-ancient-manuscripts-saved

IraqA Christian manuscript that was saved from one of Iraq’s Christian libraries

Source: http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2015/01/25/379634318/piece-by-piece-monks-scramble-to-preserve-iraqs-christian-history

Ideology behind libricide

• Libricide is the “killing of a book”• Destruction of libraries is a way by which majorities try to impose on minorities • Impose an act of assimilation on minorities, causing them to resign and to lose

their identity. • Extreme political ideologies often lead to books and libraries being seen as

either tools of the regime or enemies of the state. • "The first step in liquidating a people is to erase its memory. Destroy its books,

its culture, its history. Then have somebody write new books, manufacture a new culture, invent a new history. Before long the nation will begin to forget what it is and what it was. The world around it will forget even faster." – Milan Hubl, Czech historian

Main International Organizations & Legislation

• UNESCO• Largest and most authoritative voice in cultural heritage protection. • Often criticized with being slow to respond, not having much funding, or having an

“all talk, no action” approach with its promises of help.• Blue Shield• Works closely with UNESCO and other international organizations to protect

buildings of historical and cultural significance to states and the rest of the world. • Places an emblem on buildings that should be protected, even during times of war. • Legislation• The Hague Convention Respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land

Conclusions and Further Discussion• Some of the ways in which international organizations provided aid:• Promises to rebuild libraries• Conservation work on damaged books• Financial aid• Staff training• Problems:• Difficult to verify whether their promises were always fulfilled and if

the aid was provided quickly enough

National Library in Sarajevo: Then and NowAfter destructionSource: https://gerryco23.wordpress.com/2012/09/21/the-love-of-books-a-sarajevo-story/

After restorationSource: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vije%C4%87nica

Conclusions and Further Discussion• Is it time for a third protocol to

The Hague Convention?• The Blue Shield emblem is often

seen as a target for destruction during wars

• How can librarians help with the protection of cultural heritage?

Photo: Building in Croatia which was intentionally targeted because of its Blue Shield emblem. Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/0/22406644

Reflections on the dissertation process• Narrowing down the topic • Organizing the dissertation• Knowing when to stop researching• Symposium provided opportunity to meet experts • Continue further involvement with the topic