A number of Swiss libraries, along with assistance from Libraries without borders (BSF), have sent two shipping containers loaded with books and shelving for Haïtian libraries

At 8:30 this morning, the first shipment of two containers has now left Lausanne for Port-au-Prince, Haïti.  This is all thanks to the generosity of the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and its library, the Department of the public instruction of Geneva, primary education, the André Chavanne Middle School and Business School of Geneva, the Library of Bulle, and the Library Bière.

Without the bearing transportation costs from Lausanne to Port-au-Prince for both containers by Libraries without borders in Paris, and without the help of the IFLA for the coordination, this shipment would not have been possible. Ingénieurs du Monde volunteers from EPFL organized the loading of both containers.

This first convoy contained 2700 linear meters of shelving, including a mobile shelf of 9 components for the National library of Haiti, shelving for the Library of Saint Louis de Gonzague, as well as shelving equipment for some smaller public libraries in Haiti.

63 boxes of new books—including 37 boxes of schoolbooks—will help re-establish a number of local school and public libraries.

We continue to welcome your donations as well as your help in organizing shipments to Haiti.

With my thanks for all the help which you bring to reconstruction efforts for Haitian libraries.

—
Danielle Mincio
Conservateur des Manuscrits
Responsable PAC (préservation et conservation)
danielle.mincio@bcu.unil.ch
www.unil.ch/bcu
Bibliothèque cantonale et universitaire –
Lausanne
Unithèque
CH-1015 Lausanne