The Library In A Box Recipient Program is a sustainable model for establishing a lending library. It contains all of the resources needed to form a fully functioning, basic lending library program that can be expanded and adapted to most projects. The program is offered to individuals or groups who would like to establish a lending library in Central America.
The Library In A Box is a kit that contains a seed collection of 50-100 books, a training packet, craft materials, and games and activities that correspond to books to help engage children with their reading.
The HJH Foundation and SJDS Biblioteca staff offer mentoring, training and ongoing support to libraries who have chosen to acquire this program. Individual training sessions are available from our staff at our library in SJDS or at the recipient’s site if it is reasonable to travel to their location.
This lending library system can be purchased at cost, for $350 USD. We offer access to additional titles that can be acquired for an additional price. We sell the books at cost (what we pay for them) including fees associated with transporting them to Nicaragua. Most additional books are between $4-$8 per book. Program recipients can choose to purchase more books from us once their lending library is established.
Kit Description
Supplies included in a single Library In A Box:
- 1 actas or ledger book
- 1 accession book
- 1000 # accession sheets
- 500 labels 5160
- 1 file card transfer case lid style
- 500 registration cards – printer provided
- 500 borrowers log cards- printer provided Not included
- 500 library cards – 500/pkg
- 100 self-adhesive laminate cards 100/pkg
- 500 pressure sensitive due date slips 500/pk
- 100 plastic library logo book bags
- Library name stamp
- 300 Notification Card
- 100 informational bookmarks “how to keep the books from the library safe”
Information on the lending system:
Library cards
- Blue cards are for public libraries
- Yellow cards are for circulating/lending school libraries
- Red cards are for Mobile Projects
Borrower’s Log Cards
- Blue cards are for the public
- Yellow cards are for schools
- Green cards are for mobile projects
Tips for the lending library system:
- Actas books can be used for mobile journals
- Mobile projects require a separate set of accession and borrowers journals
- Books allocated for a mobile project should be logged and numbered in their own accession book or data area if computerized
- New books that are duplicates of books in the stationary library system can be allocated the old number and the older book placed into the mobile collection. This is a good idea when projects are new and there is question of the safety of the books.
Tips for the mobile system:
- A collection of toys, coloring supplies, and focal piece (play a game of hopscotch or bring bubbles) are recommended
- Use plastic tables and chairs and bring writing utensils for registration
- Try to find a tent
- Locate a battery operated radio or tape deck
- Bring water for employees and volunteers
- Discuss providing a small snack at some locations for the students
Printable Library in a Box Kit Description (PDF)
See Collaborating Libraries for a list of most of the libraries participating in the Library in a Box program. See Initiating Lending Libraries section for more information on Protocols and Policies etc.
How to apply for the program:
Please fill out the application form below and contact Jill, our administrator ([email protected]), to let us know that you are interested in the program.
Click here for a printable PDF application form.
