.Islandlibraries.ca, a consortium of libraries comprised of Holland College, the Provincial Library, and the Robertson Library at the University of Prince Edward Island, have committed to sponsoring a library in Ethiopia through CODE's Adopt a Library campaign.

Islandlibraries.ca will be raising funds for the reading room in Frewoyeni School, which is located in the Tigray Region in the Eastern Zone of Ethiopia. The reading room reaches a total of 2,500 people in all, about 1,500 of whom are children. The fundraising project, which was launched in conjunction with International Literacy Day on Friday, September 8, will enable CODE to help the staff and communities served by the Frewoyeni School in a number of ways. These include supplying local language materials and donated books, training teachers, librarians and management committee members, providing library furniture, and supporting initiatives to encourage library use by women and girls.

Holland College librarian Brenda Brady says she and her staff are planning a variety of fundraising activities in the upcoming months, including Dress Down Fridays.

"We have a lovely new facility in the new Centre for Labour Force Innovation building," Brady notes. "We are hoping that our fundraising events will attract staff, students, and the general public to the new library to help us raise money for Frewoyeni School's reading room, and to see our new location. With Dress Down Fridays, cultural events, raffle ticket sales, and a variety of other activities, we hope to raise at least $2,000 for Frewoyeni," she adds.

"Adopting a library/reading room in Ethiopia," says Suzanne Jones of the Robertson Library, "is a small yet vital step in helping to address an ongoing literacy and educational need, a need echoed in many other countries." UPEI library staff will be organizing a number of raffle events, Poetry/Book readings, donation jars, and possibly a campus barbecue to help raise money. Contributions of any amount will be appreciated.

Harry Holman, Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries said that the staff of the provincial library service was thrilled with the opportunity this initiative presented.

"We know how important libraries are for our communities and this provides a way we can make a direct impact where it is needed. We take a special interest in the literacy needs of children here, and now we can help abroad as well."

Staff and students from the three institutions, as well as members of the general public, can help also by participating in library activities or by making a direct, tax-deductible contribution through the CODE website. (https://www.adoptalibrary.ca/e/browse_library.cfm?LIB_ID=16).

CODE, formerly known as the Canadian Organization for Development through Education, is a Canadian charitable organization that has been promoting education and literacy in the developing world for almost 50 years. CODE builds the bridge of literacy by developing partnerships that provide resources for learning, promote awareness and understanding, and encourage self-reliance.

In this picture: (L-R) Holland College librarians Brenda Brady and Jill Forbes locate Frewoyeni, Ethiopia. Frewoyeni School's reading room has been adopted by islandlibraries.ca through CODE's Adopt A Library campaign.