ASD NEWSLETTER vol.13 no. 2 Summer 1996
The Dream Library & Archive:
A Home for Dream Materials
by Jill
Gregory
Have you ever noticed
how hard it is to find a bookstore or a library that does justice to the
subject of dreams? Imagine how wonderful it would be to walk into comfortable,
elegant rooms and discover a well-stocked dream library with a dream
resource consultant on hand and dream-based art on display!
The Dream Library & Archive, located in
Novato, California, is such a place.
Its unique facilities have drawn dreamworkers and dreamers from all
over the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and Europe.
The Reference Library now contains over 1400 titles on dreams, in
categories ranging from masters and doctoral theses to foreign language
materials and books for children. The
Lending Library offers more than 150 dream books available on-site or by
mail.
The holdings of the Dream Archive include
articles, resumes, business cards, sheet music, slides of dream art, and
hundreds of assorted flyers. On
exhibit are twenty pieces of dream art.
There are displays of hundreds of note cards and cartoons, over 150
products and more than 1400 photographs of dreamworkers and events.
At the Novato Center for Dreams where the entire collection is
housed, organizing, displaying and cataloging is an on-going project.
A sample of the variety of dream materials in
the library includes the following:
·
classics, such as The Dream in Primitive Cultures by
J. Steward Lincoln, Studies in Dreams by Mary Arnold Forster and The
World of Dreams by Havelock Ellis;
·
complete sets of periodicals, such as “Sundance Community
Dream Journal” by Henry Reed, “The Dream Explorer” by Carol Dwight
Russell and “Dream Machinery,” which is devoted to poetry, by Maria
Silvagnia;
·
video games such as “Little Nemo Dream Master” and
“Bart Simpson’s Nightmare”;
·
rare booklets, like “Releasing the Power of Dreams” by
Bob Trowbridge and “Beginning the Dream Journey” by Tara Treasurefield;
·
fiction, including Dreams of the Raven, a Star Trek
novel by Carmen Carter, and Haruki Murakami’s The Hard-Boiled
Wonderland and the End of the World.
Most fun is discovering something quite unexpected,
such as Richard Wilkerson’s Dream Guide to the Internet or
“Transcripts of the O.J. Simpson Trial Proceedings on Dream Testimony”
by Journal Graphics.
I believe that dreaming is best served by
access to the widest possible range of materials.
At the Dream Library & Archive all styles and levels of dream
materials from many different perspectives and orientations are welcomed
and respected. The value of
this collection is that it serves dreamers and dreamworkers who are of
different styles, levels, and perspectives.
This library is not affiliated with other dream organizations in
order to be a focal point of connection for all.
The long-term goal of The Dream Library and
Archive is to scan, duplicate and access via electronic means as many of
the aforementioned materials as possible.
This is our best insurance against their loss and the easiest way
for dream wisdom and knowledge to be shared.
Increased networking is also of primary importance in our vision
for the future. Already this
collection is linked to the Oniros/EASD Library in France.
Our hope is to be part of a vital, global network of dream
libraries and archives.
Since we are living in a time of unparalleled
opportunities through technology, communication and sheer volume of dream
materials, this work of discovering, gathering and preserving dream
materials is a responsibility that all of us share.
I hope the holdings of the Dream Library & Archive are not only
a helpful resource today but will become a grounding influence in the
dream movement. These
materials are our collective voice. They
are our legacy for the future.
At this point, the library is an informal
personal project and labor of love. Nearly
all types of new or used dream materials which you have acquired over the
years are welcome when you are ready to pass them along.
Although personal dream diaries are not being collected here,
whatever else you may have that is your work sharing your dream gifts is
welcome to take its place in the larger context of the dream field and the
dream movement.
If you live locally or happen to travel to this
area, you are invited to call ahead and arrange a time to visit.
I will show you around, answer questions and turn you loose to
study and browse. Upon
request, an informal videotape session is available free of charge for
dreamworkers who would like to share themselves and their work in this
manner.
Many people have shared in the development of
this library. I would like to
express my appreciation to two people in particular who have been strong
allies - my husband, Bob Gregory, and my colleague, Linda Lane Magallon.
If needed, they will be the guardians and overseers of the
collection.
Other supporters include Elizabeth & Case
Cannegieter in New Zealand and Patricia Keelin in Portland, OR. Local volunteers include Lars Spivock, Richard Russo, and
Richard Wilkerson. Also a
hearty thanks to everyone who has donated or volunteered including Stanley
Krippner, Anne Prescott, Jeremy Taylor, Jayne Gackenbach, Dale Westbrook,
Haruko Fuchs, Stephen LaBerge, Will Phillips, Karen Signel, Joanne Rochon,
Kelly Bulkeley, George Baylor, Alan Flagg, Meredith Sabini, Thea Adams,
Betsy Davids, Harold Ellis, Claudia Bienenfield, Nancy Brzeski and Sayre
Wiseman.
_________________
Jill Gregory is a dream networker and educator who
founded the Novato Center for Dreams in 1987 and continues to serve as its
director. A charter member of
the Bay Area Dreamworkers Group, she has served in leadership positions
since 1987. Married to Bob
Gregory for 15 years, she has 2 children and 4 step-children.
Jill enjoys her 1956 Chevrolet and their 9 family pets.