Book collection under way

A book collection at Fresno State to help a sister university in Balti , Moldova is under way. Balti State University has very limited resources and a library that is insufficient for the needs of its students. Its library currently has only 5,000 titles, many of which are magazines and old newspapers, to serve 7,000 students.

The book collection (and collection of boxes for shipping) will be held Nov. 1 to 23.

Although the primary language of instruction is Romanian, Balti State University has a strong focus on teaching languages in addition to its other major fields. Many of the students who are majoring in other academic disciplines also complete a minor in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese or Spanish.

Unfortunately, many of the library's books are in Russian, which is not favored nor the primary language of most of its students. Library holdings in other languages are especially sparse. With extremely limited access to Internet resources, students are required to rely on the library for academic study. Textbooks are in short supply and the university library serves as the principal place for students to gain access to written materials.

There are two parts to our project:
1.  We are collecting high quality books that will enhance the library and can be used by students in specific disciplines or for language study. We will accept appropriate books and scientific journals in any of the following languages: English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Romanian or Armenian. Books can be in a specific academic discipline or literature suitable for language study.

These books can be hardbound or paperback and should be of sufficient quality, and considered of current validity and usefulness, that they would enhance university study - either undergraduate or graduate.  We plan to send between 8,000 and 10,000 books and welcome large donations of suitable materials. 

2.  We also need to raise approximately $5,000 to pay for shipping the books from Fresno State to Balti State. We call this "Bucks for Books."  Checks can be made out to the CSUF Foundation and delivered to either: George DeGraffenreid, M/S  TA55 or Steve Rodemeyer, M/S MH128.

A financial contribution is not required, but if individuals who donate books could make a small gift for shipping, we will easily make our $5,000 goal. [Typically it costs about 50 cents per book for shipping.]

Books or materials that should not be sent include: dated technical manuals, badly worn books or materials that are fragile or in need of repair and books or materials that are filled with substantial highlighting or personal note.

In addition, boxes for shipping are needed. Save those boxes from Office Depot and other sources that can be reused. Boxes should be: approximately 8 inches high by 12 inches wide by 18 inches in length, or smaller.

Books (and boxes) can be delivered to San Ramon II, Room 49 on Fridays from 9 a.m to noon . Students from Smittcamp Family Honors College will be there to accept the deliveries.

Your department may wish to collect books together and have a student assistant from your department bring them to SRII 49.  Please call 8-8160 ( Honors College office) to confirm that a student will be in SR II - 49 to receive your books.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact George DeGraffenreid at 8-3027 or georgede@csufresno.edu.