"Mommy Loves You” - Libraries Connect Children to Parents Abroad

Seeking work abroad is a necessity for many families in Romania, and labor migrants often leave children behind. These children need support, so public libraries are getting involved in a new project called, “Te Iubeste Mama,” or “Mommy Loves You.” This project will connect parents working in Italy with their children at home in Romania through audio-visual communication like Skype, a new service that libraries in the Biblionet program offer to patrons.

The project launched recently at the Bucharest Metropolitan Library with a round table discussion hosted by the organizing partners: IREX, the Association of Romanian Women in Italy (ADRI Onlus), and the National Association of Libraries and Librarians of Romania. The discussion highlighted serious issues that these children face, including abandonment, violence, and in some cases suicide.

Natalia Martian, a successful professional whose mother has been in Italy for work since she was in high school testified, “I believe that – in the beginning – children don’t realize the impact this has upon them, and that is why I believe that all children need assistance…because they can get crazy, they stop going to school, they become gang members and need other people’s support.”

The launch was followed by a live radio show on Radio Romania Village Antenna, called “Away from Home,” targeting Romanians who live and work abroad. Three Romanian mothers and the Popricani librarian, Mihaela Tanasa spoke on the show. Tanasa emphasized the opportunity to use public libraries to communicate via Skype and also urged librarians to be more active in inviting children who have no computers at home to the library. “If more people knew that they could use Skype at the library, they would visit us more often. Once computers were introduced in libraries, librarians’ roles in the community have changed.”

The Bacau County Library hosted a follow up event where a local young star, Narcis Iustin Ianau attended to advocate for the program. Ianau’s mother has worked in Italy for much of his childhood. The County Library Director remarked, “For this project we’ve joined forces, we’ve gathered our colleagues around us…we’ve joined hands in our profession. We didn’t even know one another before…but now…this force of librarians is growing and we’d like you to pay attention!” The event in Bacau was attended by  many rural and urban librarians, along with representatives from the church and non-governmental organizations, and Senator Elena Mitrea of the Labor, Family, and Social Protection Parliamentary Commission.

The “Mommy Loves You” project is drawing attention to consequences of labor migration and demonstrates ways that libraries can work with their community and partners to help these families. Libraries will continue to serve as a place where people can get together to talk about this issue and children can connect with their parents abroad.