Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.95q.970523161326.11630B-100000@library.wustl.edu> Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 16:14:07 -0500 From: Jeff Huestis <mailto:Jeff-Huestis@library.wustl.edu> Subject: Peace Corps Libraries (fwd) To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU
---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 11:08:32 -0400 From: "Schelp.John (EX)" <mailto:schelp@NIEHS.NIH.GOV> Reply-To: Discussion List for Intl Volunteers <mailto:PCORPS-L@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU> Subject: Peace Corps Libraries>Peace Corps Librarians:
>
>I am an RPCV from Togo (91-93), where I helped establish a village library.
>I have since created an organization called the World Library Partnership
>that connects libraries in developing countries with partner libraries in
>the U.S.A. The partnerships focus on building global understanding through
>cross-cultural exchange. Each U.S. partner also conducts at least one
>fund-raiser per year to help their counterpart buy books and materials. We
>emphasize sending money instead of books in order to encourage local
>publishing and avoid some of the problems with book dumping mentioned in a
>previous message to this list. WLP also maintains an extensive database of
>book donation programs and other resources for libraries, which you can find
>on the web at http://RTPnet.org/~wlp. I am currently writing a manual and
>resource guide for village librarians, which will be available free of
>charge early next year. I love getting letters from PCVs regarding their
>library projects and will do what I can to hook them up with what they need.
>
>As others have already pointed out, there are few actual librarian posts in
>Peace Corps. The program in Botswana that is ending this fall and the
>program in Morocco are two of the few. There is also a librarian in Belize
>working with the national library system. Hundreds of PCVs have set up
>libraries or worked with libraries as "secondary projects," and based on the
>letters that I receive, I doubt there is a country in the developing world
>where library skills are not sincerely needed. I really encourage any
>librarians out there to apply--even if they have to go with a non-library
>program. Wherever they end up, there is sure to be library work that needs
>doing. The American Library Association currently has a listserv for RPCV
>librarians. You can subscribe by sending a message saying SUBSCRIBE PEACE
>CORPS <your name> to mailto:listproc@ala.org. There are over 80
>RPCV librarians on the list and I am sure that some would be happy to
>share their experiences.
>
>Laura Wendell
>Executive Director
>The World Library Partnership
>1028 Bahama Rd.
>Bahama, NC 27503
>(919) 479-0163
mailto:>wendell@acpub.duke.edu >http://rtpnet.org/~wlp
>
>