The library aims to leave hope for generations
project is underway at a Norwegian library that will take a century to complete. Over the next 100 years, prominent writers will put unread manuscripts into time capsules until 2114. Known as the
Future Library, the library was launched eight years ago by Scottish artist Katie Paterson. She says that "time and longevity" and "hope and ritual" are at the heart of the goals of the universe.
"It's more important than ever to broaden your horizons of time," Patterson told CBS News correspondent Nancy Chen.
Each year, highly acclaimed authors are invited by the Future Library Trust to submit works whose titles are only published at that time. After accepting the invitation, the writer has almost a year to create a manuscript with no restrictions on length or genre. However, the biggest rule is that the writer does not share the story with anyone, including the editor and family.
Despite being the creator of the Future Library, Paterson says he doesn't know what's in the manuscript.
"Of course I want to know, but if you look at them, the whole spell will be broken," she said.
The manuscript will later be printed on paper provided by a tree standing around a forest near the library. The work then heads to a quiet room in the Oslo Public Library, where it is stored in a glass drawer engraved with its name.
Zimbabwean writer Tsitsi Dangalembuga, Norwegian writer Karl Ove Nausgard, and Vietnamese-American writer Ocean Von were launched by the Future Library at this year's ceremony. Previous writers other than the exhibition include Margaret Atwood, who wrote The Handmaid's Tale.
"It's a simple ritual," Patterson said. "It's just in the woods. It's just a tree, you know, it's a word written on paper, but it's very humble from the one-click Amazon world, you know As you can see, we expect immediate satisfaction. "
She says the exhibition is trying to provide an optimistic view for the next generation.
"I hope that at this moment people will get rid of the fact that the generation that is born now is born into a problem that the previous generation didn't even have to think about." Said. "So I think it's about leaving something hopeful. That is, we meet you. We respect you. You are not born yet, but you are us. It's really important to us. By the time you read this book, some of the problems we're currently facing may be resolved. "
Tori B. Powell is the latest news reporter on CBS News. tori.powell@viacomcbs.com
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