Thank you very much Sinead for creating this shared document.
As was stated the last this document was changed,a room for renovation is there together with about 100 books which have been both donated to us and bought by us.Contributions about the design and layout and also what type of technogical tools to be included,such as computers etc.
It will also be helpful if someone can talkabout security systems,which must of course be cost effective.
I have seen children in our neighbourhood start developing their potential to read and every contribution or remarks you make will get us started and nearer having this mini-library in place.

Mulenga-LR

hi,
here is a manual about setting up a library. it gives very little infomation on security, a paragraph on page 73. it suggests one door only (with a bolt lock) and iron bars on windows. it is an interesting read though. :-D

library_manual_final.rtf

Sinead,

Thank you for the Library start-up document.It has so much information.

I am sure after reading it quite a number of questions do come to mind.Are you able to come up any so that we can use it as a checklist for our progress.At the moment all we have is the room, about 200 books and a volunteer to run the library for the next 8 months.

Regards,

Mulenga

hi Mulenga,
Page 66 also gives many examples to discourage theft:
a library stamp on every book- very hard to resell.
I will definitely make a checklist - the manual has fantastic suggestions,
Sinead

Hi all,

I am in the process of contacting organizations on our two lists. In doing so I have found some good information on one of the sites. It outlines their guidelines for donations.

I have placed asterisks (***) next to 2 of the items I would like to get some clarification from Mulenga or TJ, as I feel answers to these questions would be helpful in working with most of the partner organizations.

Also, some of the organizations might require assistance with the shipping cost. Are we looking only for only those organizations that will absorb the entire cost?

I appreciate your help!

Regards,
Mary

http://www.big-books.org/requests.asp

GUIDELINES FOR BOOK REQUESTS

We ask the recipient to:

- outline the need (this we have already)

- develop a distribution plan ***

- assure us of their ability to clear a container through customs. ***

- provide a brief follow-up report, preferably with pictures. (I can do this one after we have success!)

At times we do small shipments 5-10 boxes of targeted books (i.e. all children's books, or just nursing texts, etc.) Using this method the cost increases tenfold, but may be more appropriate. Boxes sent this way cost about $50 each for a box of 25 to 30 typical books. Using this method, we do expect the recipient to pay at least half the shipping costs.

Small shipments can be sent out within a month.

Hi Mary,

It is great to hear that you are about to contact the organisations on our list.

Please explain further what is meant by 'distribution plan'. Does it mean that when we get the books are we than supposed to distribute them to other places or what?

For the costs or the clearing from the customs it will be very difficult for us to pay anything,so unless there is a way or a suggestion as to how we can get round this challenge we may have to opt for those organisations which will absorb the entire costs.Nor financial clearing from customs can be done.

I will be having a chat with TJ on this Thursday and I am sure we will talk about this issue.

Suggestions from other neighbours on the issues raised by Mary is most welcome.

Mulenga

Hi Mulenga,

I believe this particular organization is asking how the books will be distributed in the community. The man in charge sent me an application, which I have attached for you to review. It asks similar questions.

I have completed the application to the best of my knowledge. If you and TJ could review and complete the missing information, I will then return the application.
Please feel free to change any information I have entered.

I will also reuse the information when contacting other organizations.

Thank you so much for your help.
Mary

applicationform.doc

Hello all,
Just back from a convention and back on line. Mary, this organization may be a breakthrough and there may be some ways to get funding for shipping. I'm a Rotary member and I will contact the local club today and see if we can get them to pay for shipping. A container seems to be a bit of an overkill but we could possibly do that in the future and combine some similar projects. Also, I contacted the principal of the Lusaka International school and asked her for support.

Great to see this activity in Garden, a big thank you to all involved.

Wonderful news, Tjeerd!

I will keep my fingers crossed for the funding for the book shipment. I agree with you, a full shipment is a rather large number of books! I would think it would be difficult (not to mention expensive) to transport.

Let me know when you've had an opportunity to look over the application form, and if you have any questions.

Warm Regards,
Mary

Mary and TJ,

I agree with you T J that a container will not only be to expensive to clear but also at this stage the library may only stock not more than 3000 books.Perhaps when we are able to find suitable community school to receive and make proper use of them may we apply for the container.

Mary the attached document failed to open.I do not know what the problem can be.Kindly send the same to me using mulengacliff@gmail.com so that I can look at it on Sunday the day I will be on the net again.

I am also keeping my fingers crossed that T J meeting with this local club comes up with something.

Mulenga

Hello Everyone,

I don't know if you have this already, but here is a list of organizations that donate books to schools and libraries. It was compiled for another project. I hope it is of some use.

Barb

List of Donors of Books.doc

Hi Barb,

It is great to hear from you and thank for the list.

Please Mary have a look at Barb's list.Does any of the contacts also provide things like computers or should I just say IT support or do we need to find other contacts.

Perhaps Barb you can help us with the IT angle if it is alright with you?

Regards

Hi everybody,
according to the manual another way to find support for the library is to find a library in the developed world that will link with it. I would like to take this task on and approach an Irish library about Garden.
Sinead

Hi all,
Great to see all this activity in our village. I'm about to make some changes in the task structure so we separate the 3 tasks we 're working on. It seems that either way we'd need to raise some money for shipping. Best would be to source from local charities and service clubs. I'll be working on that end and hopefully Barb and Sinead keep the communication with the organizations open. Mulenga, could you check if there is any tax due on importing books?

Good day, everyone,

I have sent our application to Steve Frantzich, President of the Books for International Goodwill (www.big-books.org)with a request for 200-400 books. I hope to hear back from them in the near future. Good luck with funding from Rotary Club and other charities!

I received a reply from Books for Africa. This organization only ships books in quantities of 25,000 to 35,000 costing near $10,000 USD.

I am waiting to hear back from Darien Book Aid Plan (dba.darien.org)

Regards,
Mary