==== Races | Culture ==== ====== FEDERAL LIBRARY SYSTEM ====== ===== Overview ===== The Federal Library System is a cornerstone of education and culture within the [[federal_confederation|Federal Confederation]]. Established to address resource constraints and promote communal access to knowledge, Federal Libraries serve multiple functions: * **Replacing Digital Knowledge Access:** Due to resource limitations, the libraries replace digital systems by providing curated physical books, ensuring citizens have access to essential knowledge. * **Replacing Digital Entertainment:** Federal Libraries offer curated literature to entertain and inspire, substituting resource-intensive digital media. * **Fostering Cultural Exchange:** Libraries host public readings, cultural events, and serve as platforms for social interaction, reinforcing communal bonds. The first Federal Library opened in [[new_kourou|New Kourou]] in December 2634, with subsequent openings in [[firetown|Firetown]], [[hope|Hope]], and [[morningstar|Morningstar]] by 2635. Managed under the [[federal_news_agency|Federal News Agency]], these libraries symbolize the Federal Confederation's dedication to sustainability, education, and culture. Federal Libraries are also part of the official distribution network of the [[the_weekly_gazette|Weekly Gazette]], ensuring that citizens can access current news alongside curated books and reference works. Tragedy struck the Federal Library System when the [[Federal Library of Hope|Federal Library of Hope]] burned down in January 2636. The [[federal_attorney|Federal Attorney]] accuses the [[individualists|Individualist Party]] of orchestrating the incident, citing their ideological opposition to the Federal Library System as potential motive. Investigations by the [[federal_sheriff|Federal Sheriff]] have faced significant challenges, as [[hope|Hope]] is governed by an Individualist [[mayors|Mayor]], and its Local Sheriff is affiliated with the Individualist Party. The investigation remains ongoing, leaving the [[the_humans|ExoHuman]] community divided and demanding justice. ===== Book Collection: The Federal Longlist ===== Books in the Federal Library System are printed under the supervision of the Federal News Agency at the Federal Printing Office in New Kourou. The selection process, governed by [[gaia_system|GAIA]], is based on parameters set by the [[communards|Communard governmen]]t through the [[federal_council|Federal Council]]. This process, known as the [[Federal Longlist|Federal Longlist]], determines which books are included in the libraries' catalogs and ensures alignment with the educational and cultural goals of the [[federal_confederation|Federal Confederation]]. GAIA's database contains all published books (fiction and non-fiction) from Earth up to January 2421, the day the spacecraft [[last_frontier|Last Frontier]] launched. This comprehensive archive provides an extensive repository for the selection of Earth literature and knowledge, ensuring the preservation of human culture and history despite limited resources. **Categories** * **Fiction (1,000 titles):** Primarily Earth literature drawn from GAIA’s archive. Contemporary fiction is scarce due to labor shortages, with only a few part-time authors contributing. * **Non-Fiction (1,500 titles):** Approximately 70% of these titles originate from Earth, offering a wealth of historical, scientific, and cultural knowledge preserved from the pre-launch era. The remaining 30% includes current research by [[danah_wanah_university_of_new_kourou|Danah Wanah University]] and studies on [[the_natives_tribes_of_voi_700_d|Native Tribes’]] culture, many authored by GAIA. * **Reference Works (300 titles):** Includes essential resources like the [[Federal Encyclopedia|Federal Encyclopedia]], dictionaries (Exo-English-[[honga_language|Honga]]), atlases, the [[common_constitution|Common Constitution]], and the [[peace_treaty|Peace Treaty]]. * **Education (200 titles):** Textbooks and learning materials for various age groups and disciplines, primarily written by GAIA. ===== Criticism and Political Debate ===== The Federal Library System has faced sharp criticism, especially from the [[individualists|Individualist Party]], which argues that the curated selection process stifles freedom of thought and creativity. **Notable Quotes** * //“In the old days, people decided on a free market what is worth reading. Now Aisha Patel does this for us. And I tell you, she has very bad taste…”// [[tony_forster|Thabo "Tony" Forster]], [[mayors|Mayor]] of Firetown * //“We don’t need to reform the Federal Library System. It is outdated as soon as we have our energy back and common people will get access to the Web again.”// [[sam_darkansaw|Jamal Johanson]], Leader of the Individualist Party Despite this opposition, the Communard government emphasizes the importance of centralized, sustainable knowledge sharing for the well-being of all citizens. ===== Rules and Lending ===== * **Eligibility:** Any citizen with an [[allottment_cards|Allotment Card]] may borrow books. * **Borrowing Limits:** Up to four books per month for a period of four weeks. * **Accountability:** Borrowed books are recorded in the Large Yearbook maintained by the librarian. * **Penalties:** Citizens who fail to return books on time more than once a year are suspended from borrowing for one year. ===== Personnel and Organization ===== Each Federal Library is staffed as follows: * **Library Director:** Manages administration, collections, and staff. * **Librarian:** Assists citizens with book searches, recommendations, and check-in/out processes. * **Janitor:** Handles cleaning and maintenance duties. ===== Distribution and Serving ===== * **Curation:** GAIA, guided by the Federal Council's criteria, creates the Federal Longlist, determining which books are added to the system. * **Printing:** Books are produced in the Federal Printing Office in New Kourou. * **Delivery:** Books are distributed to the four Federal Libraries by the [[federal_courier_service|Federal Courier Service]] and maintained as shared public resources. ===== Cultural Role ===== Federal Libraries serve as more than just repositories for books. They are vital cultural hubs offering: * **Public Readings:** Events featuring storytellers or authors. * **Cultural Exchange:** Workshops and discussions highlighting [[the_natives_tribes_of_voi_700_d|Native]] and [[the_humans|ExoHuman]] cultural practices. * **Community Gatherings:** Spaces for citizens to share ideas and socialize. ===== Related Pages and Further Information ===== * [[the_gamma_age|Gamma Age]] * [[Federal Confederation|Federal Confederation]] * [[communardism|Communardism]] * [[federal_news_agency| The Federal News Agency]] * [[federal_longlist|Federal Longlist]] * [[the_human_culture_in_the_gamma_age|The exohuman culture in the Gamma Age]] * [[gaia_system|GAIA System]] **Federal Libraries within the Federal Confederation:** * [[Federal Library of New Kourou|Federal Library of New Kourou]] * [[Federal Library of Firetown|Federal Library of Firetown]] * [[federal_library_of_hope|Federal Library of Hope]] * [[Federal Library of Morningstar|Federal Library of Morningstar]]