Launching the Mzuni Library Initiative

In the early morning hours of Friday, December 18, 2015, the Mzuzu University library in Northern Malawi was completely destroyed by fire. The Mzuni library contained the textbooks and other study materials used by students. It was the main place on campus for students to study, read, and use computers. It housed the University’s network servers. All of these resources were destroyed by the fire. The University is moving forward to establish an interim library for the current semester, to plan for a permanent replacement, and to seek funding for these tasks.  It needs our help.

You can help rebuild this vital resource.  Virginia Tech and the Malawi Education and Children’s Welfare Foundation are collaborating to help Mzuni rebuild its library.

What books are needed?  Books urgently needed for students to use for their coursework are listed here. The University is seeking immediately to replace more than 800 of the most-used titles. Subject areas include science & math, social sciences & humanities, health sciences, resources & environment, information sciences, and management. 

How to donate a book:

1. Purchase from the registry. Each book is listed in the registry, sortable by subject, with links to Amazon.com. Many of the books are available in good used condition at attractive prices. Others may be purchased new. Books will be sent to Virginia Tech, where they will be sorted and packed for shipment to Malawi in a container. The registry contains the details.
2. Donate directly. Do you already have, or can get, some of the needed books? Books may be shipped to The Mzuni Library Initiative, 201 Architecture Annex, 140 Otey Street, NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061.

Make a monetary contribution: Contributions are needed to pay for shipment of books to Malawi, to purchase needed books not available through donations, and to help the university pay for furnishing and equipping the library. Contributions may be made on-line or by check made to “Malawi Education Foundation” with “Mzuni library” in the memo field, and sent to Malawi Education and Children’s Welfare Foundation, 507 Delburg Street, Davidson, NC 28036.

The Malawi Education and Children’s Welfare Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit foundation established to aid educational and children’s welfare organizations in Malawi (tax ID #32-0282240). All book and monetary donations are deductible under US tax law. All donations will be used for the direct benefit of Mzuzu University, with never a deduction for administration or overhead costs.

Please also urge your friends and contacts to contribute. The needs are many. Every contribution, whether large or small, moves the new library forward. Thank you for your consideration.