Please Help Rebuild Iraqi University Libraries
We need your help. Iraqi university libraries are in desperate need of
books, including those in your discipline. Please read on to find out
how you can help with Books Beyond Borders, an Al Sharaka activity.
The Al Sharaka Program for Higher Education in Iraq is a unique
consortium of Iraqi and Oklahoma universities dedicated to the
rebuilding of Iraq higher education. Based at the University of
Oklahoma, we are funded by a USAID grant. Al Sharaka partners are:
Oklahoma Higher Education Partners (OHEP): Iraq University Partners
(IUP):
University of Oklahoma
University of Salahaddin
Oklahoma State University
University of Babylon
Langston University
University of Technology - Baghdad
Cameron University
Al-Anbar University
Basra University
One of our Al Sharaka goals is to assist in the collection restoration
of our partnering Iraqi university libraries which are severely depleted
and outdated due to two decades of sanctions, regime rule, active
conflict, and looting.
We are emailing your organization to ask for a book donation. We'd like
you to send us the one new book you feel is very important in your
field. Which book should any university library have that represents
your discipline?
Alternately, you may have a few "gently used" books that you would like
to pass on to us. We can only accept books dated 1996 or later and, at
this time, already have electronic journal resources lined up for the
Iraq libraries. Certainly some books, for instance literature or
philosophy, may be "timeless classics" and an appropriate donation. But
please help us comply with strict USAID donation guidelines and send
only those books that would update the Iraqi library collections.
Other guidelines for donating:
* Books, textbooks, instructor's manuals, reference books, and
instructional CDs
* Books appropriate for undergraduate and graduate level students
* English is the language of instruction in Iraq
How to Donate:
* After gathering together your donation, please visit the
following website to print the Books Beyond Borders Donation Form:
http://students.ou.edu/W/Erin.A.Weathers-1/Docs/Donation.doc
<https://exchange.ou.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://students.ou.ed
u/W/Erin.A.Weathers-1/Docs/Donation.doc>
* Complete the donation form and slip it inside the front cover of
your donation (one form per entire donation, please).
* Mail your donation (media rate will be the least expensive) to:
Al Sharaka
Attn: Erin Taylor Weathers
1700 Asp Avenue. Box 37
University of Oklahoma
Norman, Oklahoma 73072-6400
Your donation will be catalogued and reviewed to determine which Iraqi
campus library would most benefit from it. Then the Al Sharaka Program
arranges and pays for secured shipping to Iraq which will commence this
summer. We are able to accept books through the end of May, 2004.
Each donor will receive a commendation certificate based on the
information completed on the Donation Form. A tax id can be provided
after your donation has been received for deduction recording purposes.
Please help us in this global effort - we believe every college student
should have access to our greatest books. We encourage you to contact
us with any questions or comments.
Marouane, Raye, Mehtab & Andre, Graduate Assistants
Erin Taylor Weathers, Grant Specialist
The Books Beyond Borders Team
Al Sharaka Program for Higher Education in Iraq
University of Oklahoma
(405) 325-5461
etweathers(a)ou.edu
