Library Genome Project

My family must trace back its DNA to Alexandria. Libraries are in our genes.

As far back as I remember, libraries were a major part of our family. Libraries and bathrooms. In fact, we used to call the bathroom the library, when I was growing up in our one-bathroom home in Levittown, NY. As a peculiar corollary, many in the family had a peculiar need to use the bathroom, whenever we entered a library. We went to the library as other families would go to the movies. And our house was full of books from the library. More than anyone every would or could read.

My father certainly carried the gene and perhaps, as well, my mother. My brother became a reading specialist. My sister got a degree in linguistics, became a teacher and writer. And I became a publisher.

My wife, Disty, consumes books, but I wouldn't say she has the gene. But the gene is very dominant. Like right-handedness, dimples, or hanging, rather than attached, earlobes. The library gene was passed to my children, Andy and Chip.

Andy, a collector of books about everything, bought books and borrowed books and spent most of his time in libraries, soaking up knowledge and feeling comfort in the Petri dish of his ancestral genetic material.  When he went to visit Marlboro College, Andy returned excited that he had met the librarian and that the library was open 24 hours a day. Four years later, almost finished college, while he was home writing his final "plan of concentration", what to Marlboro is like a thesis to other colleges, he and I spent many days building shelves in his room to house his highly organized and amazing collection of books on his special interests: psychology, pharmacology, philosophy, poetry, sustainability, and, of course, Southeast Asia. He left for Southeast Asia a year ago this past May, with every book just so. A library-like organization. We all go into his room, since he died, and breath in his soul that lives in his books surrounding his room.

Tomorrow, we go to Marlboro for the first time since Andy's graduation last year, which he didn't go to because he wanted instead to head to Southeast Asia to get started with life. We go, tomorrow, to honor Andy with a collection of books in his name at a place that is marked with his genetic stuff—The Marlboro College's Rice-Aron Library. Tomorrow, we will dedicate The Andrew Pearson Zuckerman Collection on Southeast Asia. It is a wonderful gift from my mother, to whom and for which we are all so grateful. These few words will mark the collection: "Andrew Pearson Zuckerman (1984-2009) graduated from Marlboro College with High Honors in 2008. He wrote his Plan of Concentration on 'Poverty in Laos.' This collection honors his love of the Lao people, among whom he lived and died, and his love of Marlboro College, where his generous spirit will live on through his loving friends."

As my DNA dictates, I'll no doubt hit the bathroom before the ceremony begins.

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For anyone wishing to contribute books or money, contributions can be sent to: The Andrew Zuckerman Collection/Aron-Rice Library/Marlboro College/2582 South Road/Marlboro, VT 05344-0300