(Lamer, Yap) MicSem Library, an internationalized recognized collection of books, recordings, videos and historical source documents, was formally reopened to the public on May First in the south of Yap. Traditional, political, religious and educational leaders were in attendance, along with community members and students, to observe and celebrate the long-anticipated event.
Micronesian Seminar (known popularly as MicSem) was founded in 1972 by the Catholic Church in Micronesia to help people integrate faith and life, as rapid modernization brought new social and political challenges to the many small, scattered islands of the western and central Pacific.
During its tenure, MicSem was first based in Chuuk and later in Pohnpei, where it provided education to the public on contemporary social issues. MicSem produced hundreds of articles, several books, and numerous videos addressing social issues, even as its founder and director, Jesuit Father Fran Hezel, continued his own prolific research, authoring historical and cultural books, monographs, and articles.
An unparalleled resource
Over this period, MicSem built an internationally recognized library that began with a dozen boxes of books on the Pacific. Today MicSem boasts over 24,000 print titles, 82,000 historical photos, more than 800 videos, and 22,000 audio tracks. When MicSem Pohnpei operations ended in 2012, its library was stored at Xavier High School (Chuuk). Following Fr. Hezel’s relocation to Guam, interest grew in re-establishing the library. MicSem’s physical collection made its way to Yap, where a new building was constructed in 2023 at Yap Catholic High School campus to house the collection.
Ribbons spanning the entrance to the new building were cut in unison by Father Francis Hezel, Chief Louis Lukangw, Senator Isaac V. Figir, Senator-Elect Andy P. Choor, Acting Governor Thomas Tun, and Speaker Nick Figirlaarwon of the Yap State Legislature. Opening prayers, closing prayers and a blessing were offered by Father Rich McAuliff, Director of Yap Catholic High School. Remarks were given by Acting Governor Tun and Habele Fund‘s Neil Mellen.
Right way, right place
“For decades Father Hezel lived among, served and loved the people in these islands,” said Mellen. “Being smart and curious, he wanted to make sense of the people and things around him. He also saw, over decades, tremendous changes, some of them which entailed very practical problems or opportunities, and he recognized that an understanding of the past was the real foundational key to making sense of the present and future.”
“Micronesian Seminar, as a collection, and an institution, is the practical application and the embodiment of how Fran thinks about and pursues his own work. It is dynamic; and both deeply grounded in the past and very practically concerned with the present and future. Somewhat analogously, the Yapese approach to, and understanding of its own histories and present, is perhaps the best, and longest standing example of a people who deeply understand and govern themselves in that same, wonderfully unique, way.”
A long journey
Father Hezel himself addressed the crowd, sketching a history of what became MicSem began with “a dozen boxes of books on the Pacific, a few rusty shelves and a battered Olympia typewriter” sent out in 1969.
“The early generation of island leaders, many of them members of the newly formed Congress of Micronesia, were dealing with big issues: the challenge of economic development in small island societies and the choice of political status as starters…. A major theme throughout was the effect of modern life on the physical and mental health of island people. What are all these social changes doing to folks here in Micronesia?”
Grounded in the past, but always looking ahead, Father Hezel observed: “Thanks to the generosity of key Yapese government leaders and the efforts of Fr. Rich McAuliff, this collection is able to be housed here in the islands where it belongs. Yet, our concern is that the library not be confined to a single small island and its population. That’s why we are working to ensure that this rich collection of resources documenting the life and history of the islands can be searched on the MicSem website.”
“Over the years we’ve come a long way, on a winding journey–one that has brought us over the years from east coast US to Chuuk to Pohnpei to Yap. Or, as we might put it, a journey that has progressed from cartons to containers to the cloud. And on we go!”
