Past Programs
Community Organisations - 2007
International book aid
08/08/2007
You've heard of Live Aid, but have you heard of book aid? It might seem like stating the obvious that libraries need books -- but what if your country doesn't have a large publishing industry and poverty and social unrest mean libraries don't have the purchasing power to buy books? It often means developing countries rely on international aid for books.
But before you donate that box of books you keep stubbing your toe on in the hallway to a developing country to help out, you need to check whether the books are relevant and useful and in the correct language.
For the Book Show Sarah L'Estrange reports on the international aid of books for libraries in Malawi -- and closer to home, in East Timor.
She started speaking to Jeff Samuelson, from Book Aid International, on the phone in London about the work of the organisation.
Clunes Booktown for a Day
27/05/2007
How do you reinvent your town to attract tourists? One way that has been successful in rural towns in the UK and USA is to market it as a 'booktown' and make it a mecca for all things bookish. That is what Clunes, near Ballarat in Victoria has done. On the weekend, Clunes held its first ever 'Booktown for a day' and rare book traders—and book lovers—flocked to the gold rush town. But there's more to making 'booktown' a success than bringing the tourists—there needs to be support from booksellers and the local community.
For the Book Show, Sarah L'Estrange went to Clunes on the weekend to witness its transformation into a 'booktown'.
Clunes Booktown for a Day
24/05/2007
How do you reinvent your town to attract tourists? One way that has been successful in rural towns in the UK and USA is to market it as a 'booktown' and make it a mecca for all things bookish. That is what Clunes, near Ballarat in Victoria has done. On the weekend, Clunes held its first ever 'Booktown for a day' and rare book traders—and book lovers—flocked to the gold rush town. But there's more to making 'booktown' a success than bringing the tourists—there needs to be support from booksellers and the local community.
For the Book Show, Sarah L'Estrange went to Clunes on the weekend to witness its transformation into a 'booktown'.
