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Students Asked To Donate Books To Help Educate People in Less Developed Regions

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (5/7/2004) -- University of Minnesota students will have a chance to help educate people in one of the least developed regions in the world by donating a book from Monday, May 10 to Monday, May 17 at University Bookstores.

The Books for Africa Campaign collects books from university students and sends them to schools in Africa. As the end of the semester approaches, students are encouraged to donate one of their books to Africa. The University of Minnesota Bookstores in Minneapolis and St. Paul will serve as collection locations. Last year, about 8,000 books were collected at the U of M.

Books are in tremendously short supply in Africa. In fact, there is a "book famine," which contributes to the high rates of illiteracy. Books For Africa, a St. Paul nonprofit group, has sent almost 10 million books to 23 African countries over the past 16 years. English language books are in great demand in Africa, as English is the international language of commerce and science.

University President Robert Bruininks and state Sen. Sandy Pappas, chair of the Higher Education Committee, are the honorary chairs of the book campaign.

“Education is the key to our future—the future of our state, our nation, our world,” said Pappas. “The difficulties facing many African nations are staggering. Yet something as simple as the book campaign can really make a difference in the lives of those who are struggling for more education and a more peaceful world.”

The book collection is sponsored by Books for Africa, University of Minnesota Bookstores, University of Minnesota Student Activities Office, the African Student Association and Hobar Publications of Minneapolis.