PROJECT OFFERS A SYMBOL OF HOPE FOLD YOUR OWN CRANE
Library’s virtual event shows public how to fold origami paper cranes; foundation aiming to hit 1,000 mark
SAN DIEGO
More than 60 people tuned in Tuesday evening to fold origami paper cranes for San Diego’s public libraries, to bring happiness, luck and maybe even a wish come true in the New Year.
In a virtual event hosted by the San Diego Public Library Foundation, members of the public learned how to fold the paper cranes and help the nonprofit foundation meet its goal of collecting 1,000 of them for the San Diego Central Library’s Cranes for Peace display.
There also was a discussion of the library’s plans for 2021 and a call for donations to the Library Foundation.
“The Library’s Cranes for Peace program developed from a desire to set positive and hopeful intentions for the new year,” said Natalie Ganz, chief strategy and engagement officer at the San Diego Public Library Foundation. “It’s a fun environment for the community of library lovers to learn something new, interact with Library and Foundation leadership, and look forward to the future.”
According to Japanese legend, anyone who folds 1,000 origami cranes will be granted a wish, happiness and eternal luck.
In Japanese lore the crane—a type of large, long-legged, longnecked bird that lives in wetlands — was called the “bird of happiness” and was said to carry souls to paradise on its wings. The birds, thought to live for 1,000 years, were held in high regard.
Folding origami cranes has come to symbolize healing and hope.
Participants at the library event folded their own origami cranes with varying levels of success. For some, the challenge was evident in
B6 Find instructions on how to make your own origami paper crane.
the real-time chat comments, which included, “Will he do it again? We’re lost,” “Mine is cool, but doesn’t resemble a crane … ,” and “I’m just going to listen to his very calm voice and visualize the crane.” One person who was clearly impressed by the demonstrators’ folding expertise commented, “Librarians are talented in SO many ways.”
Anyone who wishes to contribute origami cranes to the display can drop them off at library book drops. Ganz said the library had researched how well cranes fare in drop boxes where books may land on top of them, and they found the cranes survived just fine.
The event also included a discussion about how San Diego’s libraries, with help from the Library Foundation, pivoted in response to the pandemic, and what the community can expect libraries to offer in 2021.
Attendees asked how the library is preparing to fight for money in the city’s upcoming budget, when funds are tight because of the pandemic.
Patrick Stewart, CEO of the Library Foundation, said an advocacy campaign is already under way, and foundation members are at work educating City Council members about the important role libraries will play in the community’s recovery from the pandemic.
Commenters noted during the event that anyone who makes a gift to the San Diego Public Library Foundation before Dec. 31 will have their contribution matched. For more information, visit https://supportmylibrary.org/matchmygift/.