The first shipment for the Strathmore Library Books Acquisition Campaign arrived at Strathmore University on July 13, 2005. This campaign was launched last month from State College, Pennsylvania, USA. A total of 16,686 books arrived in a 20 foot container. The load represents about 1/6th of the projected target of 100,000 books for the new library at Strathmore, built with funds generously provided by the European Union.

For project manager Andy Sicree, a former Strathmore teacher, it has long been a labour of love. Sicree began collecting used books for Strathmore for a number of years, well before the new library was even conceived. “I just knew that Strathmore would someday build a new library,” said Sicree, now a museum curator at Penn State University.

The books were received by: from L-R, the University Librarian, Mr Fidelis Katonga, the University Secretary, Dr Charles Sotz, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs, Dr Florence Oloo and the Vice Chancellor Prof John Odhiambo.