Memories of the Popular and Community Libraries of the Northwest Zone, Medellin-Antioquia

Abstract

In this text it is presented the results of the research project Neighborhood and Library. Collective memories in the constitution of Zone Two northwestern of Medellín [Barrio y Biblioteca. Memo-rias colectivas en la constitución barrial de la Zona dos del Noroccidente de Medellín], the characteristics of its methodological approach, the voices of librarians and some leaders and inhabitants of the neighborhoods, finally some reflections. It is concluded, among other aspects that, the neighborhoods configuration of the northwestern zone of Medellin describes of historical-community process desig-ned by its inhabitants with strong collective convictions; popular and community libraries, in these neighborhoods were containers or protectors of significant numbers of chil-dren and young people in the city, in a context of violence, drug trafficking, addictions, and “no future”; the libraries participated in the formation of leaders and librarians who were committed in to use the books, reading, libraries and, in general, the registered memory, tools and means for social in-teraction, the recognition of humanity and solidarity, fixing on their inhabitant’s memory the wish of a different city, the desire to live in its neighborhoods without fear, violence and exclusion.