by Simona Galimberti, People’s Library Coordinator
Who would have gathered 2020 to be what it has been thus far?
When I walked into the Bellingen Library in 2019 with the dream to start a storytime for adults and teenagers aimed at creating social connectedness via the art of oral storytelling I did not plan for having to socially isolate. I mean what a year to start such a project!
Nonetheless we pushed ahead with People’s Library: Voices of the Community with the intention to tour the Bellingen Shire Libraries of Bellingen, Urunga and Dorrigo.
I am grateful to Jill Haynes and Alison Pope of the Bellingen Shire Libraries for their belief in People’s Library and also their adaptability as this pandemic shut down the libraries for public use in March. This was just after the Bellingen event, and continued during the Urunga event in May.
As the Mid-North Coast slowly reopened we were able to hold the Dorrigo event in May with 18 participants attending.
As oral storytelling is revived amongst the community, we received heart-warming feedback. Statements such as ”spell-bounding tales”, “magical day” and “sacred space” were whispered amongst the crowd.
The take home message was the community felt held in a vulnerable and safe place to share their story, fiction or true; held by locals Bernard Kelly-Edwards, Tania Lawrie (Wilany) and Simona Galimberti.
It takes courage and authentic expression to be able to stand in front of your fellow community members and share a space in time, a moment in family history, or a traditional story of Gumbanyggirr Country. People’s Library aimed at creating a platform for a range of stories to be shared by all community members, where connection and this art form could be cultivated and brought back to life.
It was humbling, and a proud moment to see the courage from the storytellers spill out in a tale, and to be received with openness and deep listening from an audience who were absorbed in this age old art form, oral storytelling.
The People’s Library in action at Dorrigo.