Call for Applications for 2012
ASA-Funded Book Donation Projects
The ASA Gretchen Walsh Book Donation Award has been reinstated from the 2008 hiatus and has had two successful years. Application deadline for the 2012 cycle is May 31, 2012.
The African Studies Association (ASA) offers an annual grant program to assist book donation projects with shipping costs to send books to African libraries and schools. The Africana Librarians Council, Gretchen Walsh Book Donation Committee reads grant proposals and makes recommendations to ASA. Successful awards are usually small grants in amounts from $200 to $1000. Past awards are listed here. Those applying for partial funding of a project should clearly show how additional funding will be solicited. The grants are intended to encourage innovative projects that incorporate essential elements, including:
1. Recipient participation
Book donation programs should reflect a partnership
between institutions in Africa and the US with a liaison contact from each institution. While large scale donations of container-loads of books can be effective,
the ASA is trying to fill a perceived gap by
increasing the number of small to medium-sized projects that focus on specific,
articulated needs. Community based, grassroot project involvement with benefit to broad, non-sectarian populations are encouraged.
2. High quality materials
While books need not be new, they should be in good condition and relevant to
the recipient's needs. Books can be
procured from libraries' duplicates, personal libraries, books stores, students
and publishers.
3. Attention to details of logistics
The project plan should include a place to store books as they are being collected,
a means of reviewing the books
for physical quality and relevance to the recipient's request, materials and
staff for packing, a means of shipping to Africa,
and all necessary paperwork for customs and shipping. The ASA cannot offer any
services in arranging shipping or other
logistics. Our role is to supply funding to the greatest extent possible.
Applications for Funding
1. Project description: Send a 1-3 page description covering:
2. Budget
3. Deadline Please send electronic
submissions to Karen Jenkins, ASA Executive Director: karen.jenkins@africanstudies.org
Electronic files on disc or scanned pdf files via e-mail are preferred. However, print documents or other application formats are welcome should electronic submission not be feasible or if accompanying documents
cannot be sent via e-mail or through electronic means.
Applications must be postmarked on or before May 31st and should be sent to the office of the ASA Secretariat, to the attention of the
Karen Jenkins, ASA Executive Director, Rutgers University, 54 Joyce Kilmer Avenue, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854-8054. Applications must be postmarked on or before May 31st, 2012.
Those that are awarded are expected to provide a report on the project and a brief summary for ASA News at the project's completion. Photographs, websites, digitized information related to project progress is encouraged and may be used for development purposes by ASA or ALC.
Previous book donation award winners are listed on the website at the following URL: http://www.albany.edu/~dlafonde/Global/ASAbookaward.htm.
For more information on Book Donation Programs: http://www.albany.edu/~dlafonde/Global/bookdonation.htm
Book Donations Introduction and Tips: http://www.albany.edu/~dlafonde/Global/bkdonsuccess.htm
Africana Librarians Council, Book Donation Committee page: http://www.albany.edu/~dlafonde/Global/bkdonmid.htm