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Outstanding innovative and successful approaches
to the support of education, in its widest sense,
have been shown by specialist export bookseller,
Library Supply (International). LSI supplies books
and information products to developing countries:
this includes specific projects, governments or
institutions, funded by international aid
agencies.
With recent supply contracts in Rwanda, Ghana,
Swaziland, St Helena, Tanzania, Bangladesh, the
Caribbean and the Russian Federation/ Commonwealth
of Independent States, LSI’s operations are global
and demonstrate broad exporting skills.
LSI operates in many sectors. In education it
serves not only schools, colleges and universities,
but also general literacy and practical skills
projects for adults and children outside formal
education. It supplies development projects focused
on agriculture and forestry, medicine and health
care, science and technology including the
environment, and the social sciences especially
business studies.
Books must be appropriate for the region. In the
tropics and sub tropics, medical or agricultural
development projects require titles which would not
be relevant for the northern hemisphere. This can
involve consolidating purchases in the country of
origin for direct export to the intended project,
requiring exporting as well as book acquisition
know-how and co-ordination of reliable agencies.
Managing international supply is acknowledged to be
difficult, but LSI has succeeded and recipients
have commented on the speed, efficiency and
appropriateness of materials supplied.
Access to books and information is fundamental
to development in all societies, and supply of
appropriate materials therefore plays a significant
role in sustainable development. Books offer
practical opportunities for development at all
levels.
Books give people a chance to contribute to
their societies, in the process of realising their
own potential. Children are the key in this. Half
the population of some sub-Saharan countries are
under 18.
What matters is the appropriateness of the
materials supplied, at correct levels and at the
right time. Hence the importance of LSI’s
professional input, involving the understanding of
customer requirements, the aims of the development
project, the recipient and local background. Book
orders are usually drawn up by the client but LSI
often provides specific assistance.
LSI is very much aware of factors which often go
unnoticed: books broaden horizons, assist in
creative thinking and in giving hope. In this
respect, they are vital tools for many aspects of
self and community development.
Thirty-five thousand books supplied by LSI to
Rwandan schools and medical centres under various
contracts were from Britain and France. But LSI
deliveries were also co-ordinated in Kenya and
Uganda, thus ensuring appropriateness and retaining
costs. All consignments, packed for multiple
delivery addresses, were despatched three weeks
after orders were placed. Because of the El
Niño effect, they reached East Africa when
roads had been washed away. LSI monitored progress
ensuring that forwarders did not give up, under
international freighting guidelines. Consignments
were in mint condition when opened, reflecting
LSI’s packing standards.
Several projects in Bangladesh involved the
supply of technical books. An engineering library
required materials for irrigation, drainage, soils,
sewerage, excavations, tunnelling, bridges, docks,
and all needed to be appropriate for that part of
the world. LSI sourced the requirements in nine
countries.
Sylvia
Martin, managing director of LSI, has 25 years
experience in the library and information world,
including over 20 in exporting. She therefore plays
a significant role in the success of LSI.
Setting up in 1995 as a result of demand for a
good, professionally based supplier focused on the
developing world, Sylvia was confident of a
competitive service. There were new technologies
enabling both low overheads and more sophisticated
supply systems. The positive acceptance of new
methods of operating has proven significant
enabling low costs and high quality services. All
this, with analysis of the supply chain and
competitive buying, has controlled prices.
LSI has shown fresh approaches in every facet of
its operations. It has demonstrated serious
commitment to supporting education in the
developing world. The support is both practical and
professional, contributing to sustainable
development through its direct impact on local
people.
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