Doctor Starts Book Donation Project
for Her Native Country

Growing up in Ghana, Dr. Linda Idun, GMH hospitalist, learned never to take access to books for granted. In her hometown of Tema, there were no community libraries. In fact, neighborhood libraries are rare in Ghana, where most of the libraries are found only in private schools and are not open to the public.

In April of 2008, Dr. Idun was preparing to move from New York City to Ohio to accept a hospitalist position at GMH. As she packed up her daughter's room, she realized how fortunate her then seven-year-old daughter was to have stacks and stacks of books.

"There were books everywhere," said Dr. Idun. "It dawned on me in one moment - there could be a public library in Ghana open to everybody." She immediately began asking her friends and colleagues in New York for book donations.

After moving to Ohio, Dr. Idun continued her efforts. The library opened in Tema on July 4 of this year, with over 10,000 books. Attendance is growing at the library, which each month names a different child "Reader of the Month."

Her new coworkers and friends at GMH have generously donated, and Dr. Idun is grateful for the many donations. However, they are always accepting more books.

"The more books we get, the more we are able to do," said Dr. Idun. She accepts books for all ages, but requests that all donations be kid-friendly. She does not accept romance novels.

After the library in Tema is firmly established, Dr. Idun hopes to expand her idea of the community library open to everyone to other areas beyond Tema.

If you have books you would look to donate to the library in Tema, please contact Dr. Idun at either (201) 562-3734, (937) 429-6840, or by e-mail at idunlinda@yahoo.com.

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