Marlborough Rotary sends 1,000 children’s books to libraries in the Philippines

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(l to r) Elaine McDonald, Terry Sinclair and Bonnie Doolin affix labels to books destined for Philippine rural libraries. Photo/submitted
(l to r) Elaine McDonald, Terry Sinclair and Bonnie Doolin affix labels to books destined for Philippine rural libraries.
Photo/submitted

Marlborough – For the past two months, Marlborough Rotarians have collected new and gently used children’s books for rural libraries in the Philippines. Members of the public were asked to contribute to the collection. Boxes were placed at Marlborough Public Library, EKG Networking office on Florence Street, Al Brodeur Auto Specialists on South Street, St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Shine Salon, and many other businesses around the city.

Rotary Club of Marlborough President Sem Aykanian noted, “Outside the urban areas, children have little or no access to reading materials and this project will help establish libraries for them to access a variety of materials. The target is grades K-6. We will ship the books to the local Rotary Club in the Philippines and they will distribute them to where the need is greatest.”

Rural libraries in the Philippines can be nothing more than a room with one bookcase of books.

“We are pleased that members and the people of Marlborough donated approximately 1,000 children’s books to this collection,” said Margaret Cardello, Marlborough Public Library director and project chair.

Peter Mongeau, project co-chair, added, “We are partnering with the Rotary Club of Pag Davoa in the Philippines to supply a number of one-room libraries with books geared for children in grades K-6. After the labeling and packing process at our regular weekly meeting, we took the books to a shipper that specializes in overseas transport and sent the books to the children in the Philippines.”

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