My Cycling For Libraries Puzzle, part 1

2010
August
I first heard the expression "Cycling for Libraries" (later cyc4lib) at IFLA2010 in Gothenburg. I also met Jukka Pennanen for the first time. Mace Ojala was already kind of familiar to me cause in 2008 I attended a web course that Mace was leading, also met him in person at Finnish Library Congress 2009 and of course, again at IFLA.
November
Got an invitation via email to attend a cyc4lib planning meeting.
December
A cyc4lib planning meeting was held in Turku City Library, Finland. Participants were Jukka Pennanen (Finnish National Library), Jaana Tyrni (Espoo City Library), Barbro Wigell-Ryynänen (Ministry of Education and Culture) and Ella Mustamo, Ulla-Maija Maunu, Mace Ojala and Juha Manninen (Turku City Library). I decided to hop on the train someway.
2011
January
21st
An IFLA2012 volunteer candidate info in Helsinki. Afterwards had dinner with Kitty Rönnberg (Espoo City Library), Päivi H Jokitalo, Ira Koivu and Leena Koivunen (Finnish Library Association & Library Journal) and Jukka. Jukka asked me to try to get sponsors for the project.
February
Called Olli Aarnio (Kiitokori group) and told him about this marvellous project and explained why it would be a privilege to Kiitokori if they'd give us economical support.
9th
Met Olli Aarnio and Sini Järvi (also Kiitokori group) in Helsinki for further negotiations. They promised to lend a decent van for the trip. Yeah!!! I also told Jukka that I wouldn't be able to do the whole trip, but he wanted me in anyway.
March
Telephone negotiations with Volvo Germany about sponsorships. Several emails between Jukka, Mace, Ella and me. Olli told that Kiitokori would not only lend a van, but buy a new one and we'd be the first users!
April
The number of email messages concerning cyc4lib heavily increase. Made first inquiries to Viking Line -ferries about crossing the Baltic with 11 persons, two vans, one car and one trailer. Met Mace over a lunch and discussed about this marvellous trip.
May
Apparently no support from Volvo. Well, that's their loss. Daily adjustments on ferry tickets with Viking Line (on the day of departure it was finally version 12 on tickets...). Several phone calls with Jukka.
5th
Had meeting lunch with Ella and Mace.
During May I also read through all the emails on everyone-bounces and service mailing lists. Sent scanned driving licenses to Kiitokori.
24th
Woke up at 5.15 am. Took the bus to Kausala via Hämeenlinna and Lahti to retrieve the van from Kiitokori factory. En route had telephone negotiations with Pasi Niemi, the chef of the trip. Arrived Kausala before noon, had lunch with after marketing executive Erkki Holttinen and met also Olli and Sini. Had a brief introduction about the van and headed to Helsinki to meet Jukka and drive to Shell-rent to hire the trailer.
Met Jukka, Jonas Tana (Kirjastot.fi) and Urpo Nylander (Helsinki City Library) at City Library. Packed some 15 bikes, vests, raincoats, key chains, stickers etc.
Jukka and I drove to Helsinki Wholesale Market to meet Pasi and pack the kitchenware and some food supplies. Yes, they were plenty, took us about 3 hrs to get everything in van and trailer. Back home at 19.50 pm.
To be continued, with pictures!