[Tokyo, Japan, 27 March 2011]
The UNICEF Children’s Mini Library Project was launched on 25 March, and despite it being only the first day of the project, on 26 March a large number of people began personally delivering picture books and children’s books to UNICEF House in Tokyo. Today, the second day since the project’s launch, people carrying large loads of books had already lined up at the entrance of the UNICEF House before 10:00 when reception opens. There was even a person that had come all the way from Saitama Prefecture on a motorcycle.
“I hope that this helps many children feel at least a Children’s Mini better.” (A woman from Yokohama)
“I hope that you will read a lot of books.” (A man from Tokyo)
“Stay strong and don’t let this earthquake get the best of you.” (A boy from Tokyo)
“Everyone in Japan is cheering you on. Don’t give up!!!” (A woman from Tokyo)
We thank everyone for your kind cooperation!
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Picture books, children’s books and kami shibai (Japanese picture card stories) for children between the ages of 0 and 14.
*As your donated books will be shared among a large number of children, we ask that you only send new or near-new books. (We cannot accept books with writing in them or that are torn.)
*We prioritize books that follow a story or those that can be read to children. We do not accept magazines, manga or game strategy books.
5 April 2011 (Tue) We have closed the list.
| # | Q | A |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What is the UNICEF Little Library Project? | Under this project mini-libraries (small box-shaped book shelves) packed with picture books and children’s books will be placed at Child Friendly Spaces set up by UNICEF at shelters with children suffering from the disaster. |
| 2 | Campaign period (11 days) | We want to deliver books to the children suffering from the disaster as quickly as possible. We will first work to deliver Little Libraries to approximately 100 locations (tentative). This campaign may then also be expanded in accordance with local demand and requests. We plan to make future announcements in the case such extensions are made. |
| 3 | When will the books arrive? | We plan to complete preparations, such as actually filling the boxes with books, during the first week of April and deliver them to the disaster sites in mid-April. |
| 4 | My books are dirty. Can I still donate them? | We ask that no books are donated that would give a foul impression to children due to their lack of cleanliness. |
| 5 | Is it okay to send books that have children’s names written in them? | We ask that you do not send books with writing in them. |
| 6 | How about books with stickers on them? | We will accept them if the stickers have been cleanly removed. However, we will not accept books with stickers in them. |
| 7 | How about sheet music, song books, pictorial encyclopaedias, cook books, origami books, etc.? | At the present moment we are prioritizing books that can be read aloud to children or those with stories that children can read themselves. |
| 8 | How about books that are clean but old? | We ask that you not donate books that would give children a foul impression due to the age of the book. |
| 9 | Can I order books from AMAZON, Rakuten Books or another service and have them delivered to Japan Committee for UNICEF? | Yes. However, please make sure that orders have already been paid for. |
| 10 | Is it okay to include a message in the book? | Yes. However, please be aware we cannot guarantee that your book will be delivered to the disaster site. Also, we may use your message on the JCU homepage or somewhere else. Please indicate if you would not like your message made public. (Personal information such as your name will not be disclosed.) |
| 11 | Can I donate DVDs and manga? | We are currently investigating ways in which DVDs and manga can be used as a form of assistance. |
| 12 | Do you accept non-Japanese books? | We prioritize Japanese books. |