Library permaculture (II)
Social permaculture and libraries: starting the dialogue
[This post is the second in a series where I intend to explore the application of permaculture principles — specifically, those of social permaculture — in libraries and related spaces, such as documentation centers, archives, or museums. Each post, part of a broader work that will soon be published academically, aims to briefly cover both theoretical ideas and potential practical applications of social permaculture principles. It seeks to provide information on how solid elements of nature (biomimicry) can be incorporated into the design of library systems. The ultimate goal is to achieve sustained and sustainable changes within and from knowledge and memory management spaces].
Back to the basics
As stated in the previous post in this series, social permaculture is an extension of permaculture principles, beyond the traditional focus on sustainable agriculture. It applies permaculture principles to social systems, emphasizing the implementation of holistic, systemic, sustainable, and regenerative practices within human communities. This way, the basic values of permaculture (care for the Earth, care for people, and equitable sharing of resources), along with its twelve principles, are adapted to address the various social dynamics and activities. It thus promotes an innovative use of schemes that work perfectly well in natural systems and that, in one way or another, are able to inform and nurture the many structures present within any human society.
Including, of course, knowledge and memory management systems — which comprises libraries, archives, museums, and related institutions.
How can the elements developed from social permaculture be integrated into the world of knowledge and memory management, and specifically into the world of libraries?
At the heart of any library design is (or should be) a commitment to understanding and responding to the unique needs, preferences, and challenges of the community it serves. Observation and active interaction with the community — one of the principles of permaculture — become one of the cornerstones of the process: both, in a fully collaborative framework, allow for the shaping of library spaces and services. In such an inclusive design process, community input is essential, ensuring that the library is a true reflection of the people it serves.
Diversity and inclusiveness — components of another of the permacultural principles — are an essential element in any natural system (hence the current concern about the alarming loss of biodiversity the planet faces), and the source of the strength and resilience of much of it. Such elements must necessarily be present in physical and virtual spaces, and in the activities and services of a library — especially in its collections. Library acquisition policies, generally colonized and subordinated to the powers that be throughout a significant part of their history, should be dedicated to selecting materials that transcend traditional boundaries and structures and represent the rich cultural, linguistic, and informational fabric of a good part of human communities. The ultimate goal should be that spaces, collections, and services clearly reflect the diversity of voices and perspectives within the human group served, creating an integral whole that resonates with each individual who walks through the library doors.
A third principle, that of collaboration, should be one of the main thrusts of the library’s mission, fostering knowledge sharing through programs, workshops, and discussions led by and for the community. The library thus becomes a dynamic space that not only hosts information and transmits it in a uni-directional manner, but facilitates the multi-directional exchange of ideas, empowering participants to actively contribute to the shared body of knowledge.
Ensuring equal access to information for all members of the community (one of the many applications of the principle of “integrate rather than segregate”) should be a primary consideration for any library. Library spaces should implement practices that seek (and achieve) information accessibility for all; this may include the use of alternative formats, inclusive digital spaces, ethnic and cultural considerations, or assistive technologies for people with disabilities. Library engagement should focus on breaking down as many barriers as possible and providing an environment in which all members of a community have the opportunity to interact with their knowledge and memory, stored in the library.
A space, the library, that becomes a custodian of local knowledge, history, and cultural heritage — applying the principles of using small solutions and margins — by collaborating with different individuals and groups in the community. Documenting and archiving their stories, traditions and contributions becomes a shared responsibility, and allows the richness of local heritage to be preserved for generations to come.
Community-led decision making should become one of the cornerstones of library governance. The society the library serves should not just be a recipient of unilaterally programmed services, but an active participant in the planning and implementation of library policies, programming, and activities. Advisory councils and community forums should become channels through which the library evolves, always in direct response to the changing needs and aspirations of the community.
As a physical space, the library should adopt regenerative practices to align with sustainability principles that go beyond worn-out “green” labels. From energy-efficient technologies to waste reduction measures and the inclusion of green spaces, the library should become a model sustainable initiative. Collaborations with local environmental organizations could further amplify the impact of such ideas.
Cultural resilience could be celebrated, in a library, through a wide variety of programs. Language learning classes, cultural events (including storytelling and oral tradition), and partnerships with local artists and community organizations (to contribute “non-traditional” documents such as weavings or engravures) could contribute to the creation of a tapestry that reflects and honors the diverse cultural practices within the community.
By adopting the principles of social permaculture, libraries can be transformed into dynamic, community-centered spaces that actively contribute to the social and cultural vitality of their communities. This approach fosters a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable relationship between libraries and the people they serve, cultivating a space where knowledge, memory and their users thrive together.
