This project was initiated at the end of 2009 by Stephen Mecca, and originally aimed to strengthen university libraries around Ghana by providing them with textbooks. From there, it expanded to collecting children’s books and culturally appropriate books for adults for village and school libraries throughout the country.
GSAP works with many partners on this project: Books for Africa, Rotary partners in Jamestown, RI (D7950), Henniker, NH (D7870), Old Saybrook, CT (D7980), Accra Airport in Ghana (D 9100), and many local supporters.
The first container was shipped in May 2010, the second in March 2011, the third in September 2011, and others in 2012, bringing over some 90,000 total volumes. In addition, over 200 computers have been delivered to recipient libraries, along with the GSAP Education Portals.
Software and training on simple systems for cataloging and patron lending has been provided with assistance from the Balme Library and students in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Ghana. The project follows through with recipient libraries ensure compliance with our donation criteria. GSAP does not donate to schools or towns that don’t already have libraries; because of this, six schools and villages have built their own libraries in order to house books from GSAP.
To date, some 70+ libraries have been served by this project.
