Dear Jorgelina,

You have started a noble job: setting up a library. Asking colleagues to suggest possible resources is practical because somebody might advise you something workable.

I would like share my experience of obtainig books for starting a library.

One school invitited me to share my ideas on developing reading habits in children. We discussed several ways of inculcating readership in the young learners. But at the end, teachers said: There are no books; what will the children read? The Head teacher admitted that there was no budget. One of the teachers stood up and proposed this: We are 30 altogether. If we donate two books each, there will be a good librray with 60 books, to begin with. It was not only agreed but also immediately implemented. The following week the proposing teacher called me and said that his idea had actually worked; 60 books had arrived. Teachers were happy that just for two books, they now had the opportunity of reading 60 books for themselves.

You can try this idea.

Another idea is to request visitors, who come to your school, to donate one old book they have at home. Some will donate used books and some may actually go for a new one. The only big thing is you will have to SPEAK UP. A big request sign hung at the door will also attract some visitors' eyes. This would be particularly useful if you could oragnise some kind of gathering at school for other purpose but use the opportunity for making a polite request.

If you think the above TRICKS work, you may want to try them.

Good Luck

Laxman from Nepal