The Star – 12 Dec 2024

In San Francisco, a unique library has recently opened its doors. Here, there are no classics or bestsellers by established writers, but stories written by children from all over the world. This unique space showcases young authors' unbridled creative efforts, offering them a privileged place on the shelves.

For years, American author Dave Eggers, best known for his novel A Heartbreaking Work Of Staggering Genius, had written works piling up in his garage and no idea what to do with them. These were not copies of his own novels and essays, but rather works written by young people aged 6 to 18, coming from San Francisco and beyond. Convinced of these works' value, he decided to give them a proper home.

And thus, on Dec 4, he inaugurated the International Library of Youth Writing, a library set up at the headquarters of his publishing house McSweeney's, on Valencia Street in San Francisco.

"It's, as far as we know, the only one of its kind: a library that consists only of books written by young people,” Eggers told the San Francisco Standard.

There are anthologies, poetry collections, graphic novels and other types of books of all kinds. The books have all been published in paperback format thanks to the 826 Valencia network, an international organisation that encourages creative writing among young people.

The aim of this library is twofold: to celebrate young people's talent and to inspire them to pick up a pen. Eggers explained to the San Francisco Standard that kids are often surprised and amazed when they learn that all the books in the library were written by other kids. That's why budding writers in the San Francisco Bay Area are encouraged to deposit copies of their own books and zines for the general public to consult, or, in some cases, even buy.

Meanwhile, to finance an expansion of the International Library of Youth Writing, a series of prints by Eggers is being sold.

In 2025, the library, which also features a writing lab, will include an extension of the 826 Valencia centre, where young people can come after school, alone or with their parents, to read, write or do their homework in peace and quiet.

While San Francisco's International Library of Youth Writing has no equal, several libraries around the world stand out for the uniqueness of their collections. Such is the case, for example, of the Brautigan Library inspired by US writer Richard Brautigan. Located in Vancouver, Washington, it houses unpublished manuscripts written by non-professional writers.

Also in the United States, the Denver Zine Library offers an immersion into the world of zines, hand-crafted periodicals created by enthusiasts. – AFP

Source: The Star