Press Release
U.S. Embassy donates books to SUZA American corner
May 2, 2008
The U.S. Embassy donated 85 titles of books worth $5,000 to the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA), for SUZA’s American corner or ‘mini-library’ in Stonetown. This is part of an on-going programme of maintaining and updating the SUZA American Corner.
According to a statement from the U.S. Embassy, the donated books are in various subjects that cater for the needs of SUZA faculty staff, students and the public at large. The new consignment of books donated recently replenishes the American corner’s collection of books. The corner or ‘mini-library’ also provides information about the US through supervised access to the Internet, audio and video products, CD-ROMS and periodicals.
The corner also provides a meeting space for interactive programmes to Zanzibaris whereby Community leaders, journalists, professionals, students and concerned citizens exchange views with local or American experts in various subjects. The corner also has installed internet connected computers which are used by patrons to do their research work.
The Corner was inaugurated on July 13, 2006, by the former U.S. Ambassador Michael Retzer. “The idea behind the American Corners initiative was simple: My government feels that the more information we share with people around the world, the better we will understand each other. When we understand each other, we respect and learn from each other, and the world is a better place,” said Retzer on the inauguration day.
The Corner, which is the first of its kind to be established in Tanzania, is also open to the public, and it is free of charge. Due to the success and benefits gained from this first American Corner, a second American Corner in the country will be opened in Pemba soon.
The SUZA American Corner is the ninth American Corner in East Africa. Others are located in Kenya (2), Uganda (3) and Rwanda (3). There are nearly 400 American Corners around the world, and are open to the public, free of charge. Regardless of where an American Corner is located, and regardless of the host institution, one thing that is absolutely essential is that these resources be made available to anyone who wishes to use them.
Financial support for this programme comes from the American people and is part of overall U.S. Government direct and multilateral assistance to Tanzania of more than half a billion U.S. Dollars (over 750 billion Tanzanian shillings) in 2008. For further information on this and other activities, please visit us at http://tanzania.usembassy.gov.