Dear Fellow,
I am sorry. I am sorry I didn’t show up on two Saturdays so far this year. I didn’t show up on the 6th of May and on the 10th of June. This wasn’t intentional. I have been battling with a messy situation lately—specifically, the unstable power supply I shared with you in the despatch “Human and Devices”. It’s been a whole lot to deal with. Having to be in blackout for seven days—from Thursday, 8th of June to Thursday, 15th of June—without prior announcement is quite a messy situation. Yet, we survived!
Aptly titled, I have two things to accomplish in this despatch: first, to apologise for not showing up on two accounts; second, to make an appeal.
The Appeal
On the 21st of August 2022, my debut book The University Library was released in electronic format. From the records yesterday, 200 copies have been distributed for free. Last month, I got a deal for printing copies of the book! (That also means a revision was done to the book’s content.)
On the 9th of February this year, there was a reading of the book in the Central Library Complex of my school, University of Jos.
In May, I and 11 friends organised an event called The Library Picnic on campus to promote the university library, foster cross-faculty interaction among students and encourage lifelong learning. The following week after the picnic, I was called upon by the press that will be managing the printing of my book. While discussing the value of the content and what good it will serve, we reached the conclusion to do a book launch on campus.
The book launch aims to create an avenue for interaction between students and faculty in the university and to promote the university library. Motivated by the feedback from #TheLibraryPicnic and the reasoning of the team managing the printing of the book, we are convinced the book launch will help spread the message of the value of libraries. And consequently, influence positively the services currently rendered by the university library. We also believe this event will serve as a model for other university students, and faculties alike, in promoting lifelong learning through the use of libraries.
To achieve these goals, I need your assistance.
How You Can Support
The “Donate” button takes you to a page where you can support the launch with any amount. I am confidently asking for this on the grounds that you have not regretted any minute spent around the content of my newsletter. It is because I believe you will obtain value from my despatches is why I am committed to showing up in your inbox every Saturday. Kindly help me actualise the book launch.
Note: a portion of the proceeds from the launch will be donated to two new community libraries in Jos. You will receive updates on this mission as time passes.
Thank you for staying with me here, good Fellow. Hoping not to miss out on any Saturday this year again. See you subsequently.
You can as well share this post to help drive the fundraising:
Stay curious and keep learning, good Fellow.
Your LetterMan,
Tongjal, W. N.