A Log Library Project

 

 

 

WHY LIBRARIES? - There is not a single, solitary, First Nations community, in the province of Manitoba, with an adult library. That fact should shock and enrage anyone -- even the most cynical -- to the point of action. The Federal Government of Canada has, for over a hundred years now, totally abrogated its treaty responsibilities in Manitoba, in terms of providing educational and employment opportunities which libraries endlessly offer to nearly all other Canadian communities. Why is it that First Nations in Manitoba are excluded from the obvious educational benefits, local employment opportunities, and numerous other spin-off advantages which practically all other areas of the country are enriched by?

 

WHY LOGS? - Log structures can be built using local materials and labour. A handcrafted log building offers superior strength, insulation value, and aesthetic value than does a standard stick-framed building. Log structures can be erected or prefabricated in a building yard, log ends tagged, dismantled, and the complete structure quickly re-assembled in a remote location. Far less processed material goes into a log structure than a standard stick-framed building, so the 'ecological footprint' is small in comparison.

 

WHO SHOULD BE INVOLVED, AND HOW INVOLVED? These are important questions. There are major, critical roles for all levels of government - local or civic, provincial, and federal to ensure that all First Nations communities are provided with adult libraries built possibly by formerly unemployed native youth -- but subsequently skilled craftspersons(1) -- and operated and staffed with newly trained aboriginal librarians. Apart from the obvious participation of members of our elected legislative bodies (with clout), involvement should be open to anyone with an interest in contributing in any way they can. What follows is a fairly short list of some of the things that might be done in order for The Log Library Project to proceed. It is not meant to be comprehensive or all-encompassing, since that will only evolve once a dedicated committee is struck that rolls up its sleeves and tackles the necessary work.

 

Role for local government: to identify and secure commercial property in Winnipeg or vicinity suitable for a building yard(2) where log libraries can be erected and subsequently moved to remote communities and reassembled where needed. To also ensure that books bought and paid for by Manitoba taxpayers are not sold to American companies and shipped off to the United States as is presently done. Many of those books, leftovers from City of Winnipeg library sales (for example) are costly reference materials that should remain in Manitoba until their usefulness has been exhausted. At least some of these materials can be saved for future First Nations libraries.

 

Role for provincial government: to identify an area or areas in the province with suitably sized building timber (pine, white spruce) and to secure long-term cutting rights which apart from being the main source of material for libraries could also provide further employment and training in the art of selective, sustainable eco-logging (3), with minimal damage to the forest floor and surrounding habitat. These cutting rights would be reserved specifically for log buildings in First Nations communities.

 

Role for federal government: to make funds or grants available for employment and training for aboriginal librarianship, and for aboriginal log builders (4) which would include safety training for workers handling chainsaws, working from heights and with heavy equipment, etc.

 

Possible role for First Nations organisations: the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, for example, might ensure there are no obstacles placed in the way for library projects to proceed through band councils, and facilitate passage through other hoops that may suddenly arise. To ensure that the Federal government especially will live up to its responsibilities, including: i) provision of training and employment opportunities for unemployed native youth especially but others as well, including class enrollment at professional log building schools currently operating in the provinces of British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and elsewhere in Canada; or conversely to cover the cost of bringing in trained instructors from out-of-province to teach classes locally, and ii) to facilitate the setting up of a training program in aboriginal librarianship.

 

Possible role for the private sector: to provide equipment, such as a small crane for assembling log walls and trusses at a building yard. To donate specialised tools needed in the construction of handcrafted log structures (see appendix 1). To offer assistance with transportation of logs from The Pas area or any other area of the province where suitably sized building materials can be located and secured.

 

Possible role for at-large community groups: to join in this effort and place the idea on agenda meetings and offer whatever expertise and contact information they think critical for the successful launch and ongoing operation of The Log Library Project. The possibilities are endless: community groups could initiate an 'adopt-a-library' program and raise funds for a certain on-reserve library. Community groups could easily get involved in fundraising drives to purchase books identified by librarians as critically important resources that any First Nations library should have available on its shelves. City and university libraries could adopt similar campaigns. University professors of architecture and their students could present what they consider to be the best available designs/layouts for a modest log library, taking into account humidity, floor loads, etc. A list-serv, e-mail list, or website -- or all of these -- could be developed so that anyone interested could discuss various aspects of the project as it is presented and as problems arise.

 

Finally, to form a collective working group of any interested parties where possibilities can be thrashed out and made to work. Involvement of First Nations organizations and individuals in the project is critical. What about possible incorporation of The Log Library Project as a non-profit entity, so that operating funds for the various activities such a collective would be engaged in could be applied for as soon as possible?

 

The above is meant to be only an opening remark on infrastructure in Manitoba that is desperately needed and sorely missed -- an opening salvo if you wish -- and feedback on any aspect of the aforementioned is most welcome. Please feel free to contact me by email or by telephone to join this work in progress.....

 

Sincerely,

Richard Ménec

- graduate of the B. Allan Mackie School of Log Building, Prince George, British Columbia (1983)

- carpenter-framer (residential, commercial, agricultural) for 20 years

- currently an online bookseller in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

 

 

 

References

 

(1a)

Again, an example of superb craftsmanship from Oeschinensee, in the foothills of the Swiss Alps

Richard Ménec master photo archive

 

(1b)

Window detail on the above building (note settling allowance)

R. Ménec master photo archive

 

(1c)

An excellent example of fine, scribe-fitted log-work

photo courtesy of Roger Ellis - Heartwood Log Homes, Nova Scotia

 

(2)

What a building yard might look like (note crane in operation)

Photo courtesy of B. Allan Mackie

 

(3) Information on eco-logging; ways in which timber can be 'harvested' with minimal impact on the forest floor and surrounding environment (such as falling and skidding trees in winter) is being gathered and should appear here soon.

 

(4) Photo of log-builder at work is being redone and is currently unavailable.

 

Appendix: a list of log building tools necessary to construct log libraries (or any other log structure), along with several links to photos, is presently being assembled as well and will be posted here.

 

Resources & Sources

 

Log and timber frame building schools (International Log Builders' Association):

http://www.logassociation.org/directory/schools.php

 

B. Allan Mackie

http://www.ballanmackie.com/

 

Heartwood Log Homes (Nova Scotia)

http://www.heartwood-log-homes.com/

________________________

 


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