Linda Abblitt, Dip.Miss, BA(Lib&Info.Sc), M.Ed
Director of Library Aid International

Linda, as Director oversees this ministry, with a Board of Directors, and so far eight volunteers.

Book Collection Depots are being established in each Australian state, with a manager, and a group of interested volunteers.

The South African Director commences work in January 2007, and will oversee the distribution of shipments, and liaise with recipient schools in Africa.

Distribution in India will be conducted through OM India.

Library Aid International is hoping to help Christian schools in Africa, India and other English-speaking developing countries.

LAI is non-denominational, subscribing to evangelical and Bible-believing statements of faith (available upon request).

What types of books?

Children's picture books.

Easy English

First Readers

Story books

How to & Knowledge books

Ccrafts & arts books

Bible stories

Puzzles & Games books

Library Aid International (LAI) grew out of Linda's role as a library consultant to Christian schools around the world. During her three years in South Africa Linda saw a huge need in the schools there and arranged for small shipments of used books to be sent from American and Australian schools.

While this was good, it wasn't quite enough and God began speaking to her about expanding this ministry to provide shipping containers full of books at a time. Linda returned to Australia in May 2006 to begin setting up LAI. The long-term vision is for LAI centres in New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada and USA as well.

Credibility & Experience

Linda Abblitt, of Tasmania, Australia, has put in her own long hours in books and halls of learning. She has her Diploma of Missions, Bachelor of Arts in Library and Information Sciences, and her Masters in Education.

She began as a missionary with Operation Mobilization in Austria, in the communications department, but through various circumstances God has also placed her for times with the Australia Centre for World Mission, and the Summer Institute of Linquistics (SIL) in Melbourne. In 1998 Linda went to Kazakstan to set up a missionary school library, but on the way, stopped to also organize resources at OM's UK training base.

When politcal changes in Russia cancelled her plans to work in other Soviet Union places, she responded to a call from Cape Town, South Africa, where a new school was being established for street children. Besides the library set up, Linda helped with teaching, administration and fund-raising.

In 2000 she spent some time at a school in Ethiopia, and next in Spain. After she had set up and computerized each library, and trained others to maintain them and work as librarians, she moved on to the next one. Each project took from six to eighteen months.

Getting the Plot

At an All-Africa Educator's Conference in Pretoria, South Africa, Linda was teaching a workshop and asked people why they had come. Every attendant said they wanted to learn how to set up a library in their school!

When she researched this, she found that in South Africa alone, less than 20% of primary and secondary schools had a library. Linda kept thinking of the poster, Readers Become Leaders.She felt impressed of God to do something so the future leadership of Africa could be developed. Better yet, that they be godly Christian leaders. Test Run On a home furlough, Linda collected a whole ton of children's books, and managed to get them shipped to Africa, although that was fraught with trials.

A friend helped Linda see that it wasn't enough. After setting up a library in Central Asia, Linda felt confirmed in God's call to move to Pretoria, and while working with the OM team,surveyed the needs of Christian schools in particular. 100 schools, in their response, indicated that they had less than the minimum of 10 to 15 books per student. Very few students had access to a public library.

The prospect of Christian books getting into the hands, and then the homes of children from Muslim, Hindu and animistic backgrounds is exciting for the spread of the gospel. Not only for Linda, but also exciting for those running those Christian schools. They are thrilled for Linda's vision and burden to help them.

The Plan

Linda went home and with the blessing of many missionary friends and supporters, officially formed, Library Aid International. She is the Director overseeing operations, and works with a Board of Directors, and eight volunteers.

She is establishing collection depots in each Australian state, and has a large warehouse from where the containers will be filled and shipped to the recipient schools in Africa, India, or other Christian Schools in English speaking developing countries.

Eventually, Linda would like to see more book collections happening in North America and other Western countries, and economical shipping methods set up. Also to prepare librarians to send to these recipient schools, to train the local school staff and volunteers in basic library skills, and to show them how to maintain the newly established libraries.

The current budget is for $9000 per year, plus the shipping costs of $3000 for every container sent out. Costs are expected to increase as the collection of books, and shipping increases.

Needs and Prayer Concerns 1. New and used suitable books for for children from Kindergarten through grade 12 2. Funds to help with shipping costs and to support the sending of librarians.

3. Volunteers for collecting, sorting, and packing books. Other volunteers for bookkeeping, communication, web site, receptionst and an administrative assistant will be needed too.

4. PRAY for the collecting of books, for donors willing to cover costs, and for much wisdom for Linda, to know how to proceed and when to stand her ground when confronted with difficulties.

Your Challenge Just think. Your often-read, but still whole children's books could turn these children into godly leaders of their countries. Instead of decimating their people in blood-bath wars, one of these students might become a just and principled head of state, bringing peace and prosperity to their land. Young people become what they read.

Why not look around your home, or classroom? In no time you'll have a handful of books to contribute! Maybe a box full!

Watch for bargains on good books that you could purchase to donate, if you are able and willing. There are too many good books going to waste in our Western countries. We take them too much for granted!

Furthermore, could you help set up a collection depot in your region for these books? From there they could be shipped in bulk.

If so, you need to talk to Linda.

Contact Linda!

You may use this form to contact Linda directly with your questions and offers of support.