On December 10, at IFOP headquarters in Valparaíso, the activity Letters that investigate, the power of scientific literature, was held as part of the celebration of IFOP’s 60th anniversary.
During the ceremony, the generous donations of collections exceeding 100 titles on whales, contributed by the family of Sergio Basulto, former Director of IFOP between 1970-1973, were highlighted. In addition, the valuable historical material on diatoms, donated by the academic and researcher Vivian Montecino, who also served as Director of IFOP between 2006-2007, was highlighted.
At the same event, the presentation and launch of the book “Pre-Columbian Fishermen” by the prominent academic and fishing engineer Patricio Arana was held. The book tells the story of fishermen on the coasts of America, and is the result of more than 40 years of research work, which IFOP sponsored together with the PUCV.
Gonzalo Pereira, Executive Director of IFOP, explained “with deep respect and gratitude we received, at IFOP, an important donation of scientific books from the personal library of Vivian Montecinos and Sergio Basulto, both former Directors of IFOP. The intellectual legacy of both and the passion for knowledge lives on in these books that they give us today.
The importance of this donation is twofold. On the one hand, it allows us to preserve an invaluable legacy that, otherwise, could have been lost over time, but it also invites us to reflect on the function of books in our lives.”
Vivian Montecinos referred to the activity “I collected these books throughout my scientific life and when I dismantled my laboratory I wanted to give them to someone who would find them useful, I learned about IFOP’s phytoplankton program, with harmful algal blooms. I thought that this research group had to have my books, but then we decided that they were better off in Valparaíso because the IFOP library is physically here, where they will be well cared for and for everyone to use.”
The librarian, Ghislaine Barría González, who together with Carmen Lasagna organized the event, highlighted the profound impact that the donation of books has on the community. “Each donated book represents a bridge between generations of researchers,” she said. “It allows the knowledge accumulated over the years to be accessible to new generations, facilitating research and the development of projects that can transform the understanding of the marine environment and its resources and symbolizes the commitment of the Former Directors of IFOP to scientific dissemination.”
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