Inauguration of Embassy Library Book Donation Program
April 21, 2004
Remarks for Inauguration of Embassy Library Book
Donation Program
U.S. Ambassador Vincent Battle
Remarks for Inauguration of Embassy Library Book Donation Program
Dr. Najib Abu-Haydar Public Library
Mayor Abou Haidar, Members of the Municipal Council, Members of
the Library Committee, Honorable Guests: Thank you for welcoming
me here today.
I am delighted to be here. This is a lovely library and I am truly
impressed by what you have accomplished. I want to particularly
commend the Library Committee for your hard work - this is a place
you can be proud of. I encourage you to continue to expand and improve
it and to continue your outreach into the community to ensure that
as many people as possible can benefit from the library.
I want to also acknowledge Assabil, the NGO that supports a network
of over 20 public libraries throughout Lebanon. Assabil's patience,
dedication, and hard work in recent years have played a vital role
in developing a nation-wide network of libraries such as this. We
are very pleased to have the opportunity to work with Assabil in
our own efforts to support public libraries.
Public libraries are a relatively simple idea, but at the same
time a revolutionary one. Their basic premise is that knowledge
should be freely available to all, regardless of age, race, gender,
or income. In addition, public libraries can become important community
spaces, where people from all backgrounds can gather to learn or
to discuss issues of mutual interest. A good public library can
bring the community together, support the work of teachers and schools,
and help develop a passion for reading and learning among young
people that will serve them through out their lives.
It is for these reasons that we are committed to supporting Lebanon's
growing public library system. Today, on the occasion of National
Reading Week, we are making our first donation of this collection
of English-language books for all ages to the Dr. Najib Abu-Haydar
Public Library. Over the next weeks, we will continue to donate
collections to another 19 public libraries around Lebanon. It is
our hope that this donation program can be the starting point for
continued cooperation for the betterment of Lebanon's public libraries.
And now it is my pleasure to present to you, the Library Committee,
this collection of books donated by the American Embassy.
U.S. Embassy Donating Book Collections
PRESS RELEASES
U.S. Embassy Donating Book Collections to 20 Public Libraries in
Lebanon
Donation Program Launched During National Reading Week
April 21, 2004 - Beirut -- U.S. Ambassador Vincent M. Battle today
visited Dr. Najib Abu-Haydar Public Library in Hammana to donate
a collection of English-language books to the library collection.
The donation is the first of 20 such donations that the US Embassy
will make to public libraries throughout Lebanon, in coordination
with Assabil, a Lebanese non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated
to developing the nation's public library system. The donation program
was launched this week in celebration of National Reading Week.
The English-language collection donated by the US Embassy encompasses
many subjects, including reference volumes such as a world atlas,
dictionaries, and a CDRom encyclopedia; biographies of historical
and artistic American figures; American literature; children's books;
and volumes on American history.
All the libraries receiving the book collection are part of the
Assabil Network of Public Libraries. In addition to Dr. Najib Abu-Haydar
Public Library in Hammana, they include: the Municipal Public Library
of Aitit; the Municipal Public Library of Aley; the Public Library
of Baadarane; the National Library of Baakline; the Public Library
of Babliye; the Public Library of Barouk; the Public Library of
Batroun; the Municipal Public Library of Beirut in Bachoura; a new
municipal public library that will be opening in Beirut (Geitawi)
in 2004; the Public Library of Beit Meri; the Municipal Public Library
of Bocsmaya; the Municipal Public Library of Jezzine; the Municipal
Public Library of Joun; the Public Library of Kefraya al-Koura;
the Public Library of Miniara; the Cultural Center for Francophone
Activities, Mtein; the Public Library of Saida; the Public Library
of the Cultural League in Tripoli; and the Municipal Public Library
of Zahleh.
In his remarks, Ambassador Battle noted the importance of public
libraries as community centers and sources of education and knowledge
available to everyone, remarking that, "Public libraries are
a relatively simple idea, but at the same time a revolutionary one.
Their basic premise is that knowledge should be freely available
to all, regardless of age, race, gender, or income." He noted
that this donation program marks the beginning of a long-term commitment
by the Embassy to support the development and improvement of Lebanon's
public libraries.
Public libraries interested in participating in this or future
US Embassy library support programs should contact the Public Affairs
Section at the US Embassy at pas@inco.com.lb.
Public libraries that wish to be part of the Assabil Network should
contact Assabil at assabil@lb.refer.org.
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