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Bibliotheca
AlexandrinaAround 1700 years after its fabled predecessor vanished, a new library in Alexandria, Egypt, was opened last April. By all reports the building is beautiful and its aim, to house a monument to human knowledge across national boundaries and cultures, is noble. Its problem, however, is a dearth of books to fill its shelves.
In my frustration with the world situation, I have been thinking about my experience of teaching embroidery and design in other countries. I remembered that, even with no language in common, there was joy in communicating with our hands, threads and a shared history and love of craft. And I thought about how I honour libraries and books, learning from pictures as well as words. So I had an idea...
Select a book or books that you've either written or found influential about textiles or craft and send it to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina for their collection. I am hopeful that our modest effort will help to establish common ties.
Please send your gift as soon as possible. Use any means of shipping and address it to:
Gift to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Hand to Hand Project, El Shatby, Alexandria 21526, Egypt
Include your name and address and any message you wish to include on a sheet of paper placed in the book. Authors should feel free to sign their book. When you have sent it, email me at: BarbaraSmith@centurytel.net with your name and address, the title and author of the book(s). I will keep a running list and send it to the Donations Committee at the library as a cross check. www.bibalex.org
Barbara Lee Smith