Community Corner

Queens Library Puts Out Call To Help 'Sister' Institution in Egypt

Donations needed to rebuild and restock two Cairo libraries destroyed during recent political strife

The jubilation in Cairo's Tahrir Square after the resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak Feb. 11 mostly ended weeks of civil strife that laid waste businesses, government installations and many of the country's cultural treasures.

Today, with the country just beginning to emerge from a decades-old military dictatorship, a cultural institution much closer to home put out a call asking residents to help rebuild what many consider to be one of the bedrocks of a fully-functioning democracy.

"The destruction of a public library is a blow felt by all," said Queens Library CEO Thomas W. Galante. "We are issuing a rallying cry to libraries and library lovers globally to help our Egyptian friends rebuild and reopen as soon as possible."

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According to Galante, vandals last month destroyed the contents of two public libraries in Cairo during clashes between pro-democracy protestors and government forces loyal to Mubarak.

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina, built near the now-vanished library near the Mediterranean coast that once housed the great works of antiquity, survived the recent political turmoil relatively unscathed, according to Joanne King, a Queens Library spokeswoman.

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But the need for help to reopen libraries in Egypt's capital remained great. "To have these sources of learning burnt and looted isn't good for an emerging democracy," King said.

Queens library is hosting this Web site for those wishing to make a donation to help its sister institutions in Egypt.

The Queens Library operates two branches in the Little Neck area, including the at 249-01 Northern Blvd. and the on 57-04 Marathon Pkwy.


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