Books for Belize: Deadline Oct. 1

VALDOSTA -- Valdosta State University is collecting textbooks and other academic materials for Belize universities and schools that often use dated publications. The deadline to drop off books at various locations throughout campus is Thursday, Oct. 1.

Various schools throughout the United States are participating in this book drive headed by the Consortium for Belize Educational Cooperation (COBEC) -- which strives to strengthen and expand higher educations through partnerships between institutions throughout the world and Belize schools. Dr. Ivan Nikolov, director of VSU’s Center for International Programs, said the Central American institutions are particularly interested in relevant editions about English, communication arts, education, psychology, adult and continuing education, mathematics and the sciences. People may drop off books at the Center for International Programs, 204 Georgia Ave.

VSU alumna Minerva Blancaneaux is a professor of business at Corozal Community College in Belize. She contacted VSU in early September after she noticed a colleague “nursing a patched up copy of a 1984 publication of ‘Effective Business Communication.’” Blancaneaux said books VSU professors and students might deem “outdated” may be an upgrade for students in Belize. She urges people to hold onto their textbooks even if they miss the Oct. 1 deadline. Belize campuses can arrange for additional shipments in the future. Alicia Roberson, an academic advisor for the Student Success Center, is coordinating the effort to collect books specifically for Corozal College. Drop off books for Corozal at the OASIS Center for First Year Programs and Advising, University Center Room 1114.

The College of Education is also collecting books. Dr. Jane Zahner, a professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instructional Technology, is coordinating the book drive. A bin for books is located on the second floor of the Special Education and Communication Disorders Building, on the corner of Brookwood Drive and Patterson Street.

VSU has been assisting the educational system in Belize for the past 20 years. The university is working with Dr. John Kemppainen, of the University of North Florida, who has coordinated with the U.S. Navy to ship books for free to the national library in Belize, the University of Belize, San Ignacio College, and the country’s city school district.

For more information, contact the Center for International Programs at (229) 333-7410 or e-mail Dr. Ivan Nikolov at inikolov@valdosta.edu.

Book drop-off locations:

Center for International Programs, 204 Georgia Ave.

Second floor of the Special Education and Communication Disorders Building, on the corner of Brookwood Drive and Patterson Street.

Books for Corozal may be dropped off at the OASIS Center for First Year Programs and Advising, University Center Room 1114.