News Release
Hopkins Library to Send Publications to RwandaThe Milton S. Eisenhower Library will send books and other research publications to Rwanda in response to a plea for cooperation in a "massive literary campaign" that is part of the country's reconstruction.More than 15 boxes containing novels and academic books have been collected and will be shipped in the next few weeks. A sample of the publications includes Richard Hofstadler's "The Age of Reform," "The Shakespearean Moment" by Patrick Cruttwell and Carl Sandburg's "Abraham Lincoln." Hopkins received a request for participation from Theogene Rudasingwa, ambassador to the embassy of Rwanda. "Since July 1994, the government and people of Rwanda have been trying to rebuild their shattered country and lives," Rudasingwa wrote. "Educational, health and other social infrastructure were destroyed." There are 4,000 students enrolled at the National University of Butare in Rwanda, Rudasingwa noted, and "almost an absolute lack of books and other educational materials." "We know of the devastation that they've experienced," said James Neal, the Hopkin library's Sheridan Director. "They've gone through such a devastating time that they need special help. This is a small contribution to the rebuilding efforts in that country." Most of the publications being sent are duplicates of gifts from friends of the library or faculty members, said David James, head of acquisitions at the library. Organizers did try to identify publications written in French, but much of it is English. The books were gathered solely from the collection at the Homewood library, as opposed to other Hopkins libraries, Neal said. This is not the first time the library has participated in such a program. Each year a representative from the Philippines comes to the library for donations, James said. Duplicate materials are routinely sent to other research libraries as well. "I think that we have a global visibility and a global commitment," Neal said. "We recognize that countries in the developing world have a difficult time."
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