The Joseph F. Smith Library of BYU–Hawaii is embarking on a project to donate 40,000 books to the Northern Mariana Islands in November 2024. The donation, organized in collaboration with Senator Glenn Wakai of Hawaii and the Micronesian community, involves two major shipments: the first crate of books will be sent on November 4, and the second will follow on November 11. The books are set to enhance libraries and educational institutions in the islands, where access to a diverse range of educational materials is limited.
The project was initially started by Fran Marshall, assistant professor librarian, but is now being led by Rose Ram, library director, with support from the library team. In preparation for this large-scale donation, the library team has been hard at work packing the 40,000 books into two 40-foot containers. The campus community has been instrumental in supporting the move, generously donating boxes. Additionally, extra workers have been hired to assist with packing and moving the books, especially given the sheer volume of materials involved.
Stephanie Robertson, assistant professor and outreach librarian, reflected on the collaborative effort behind the project. "This has been an exciting process because it takes many people to make a project like this work, and we all work together collaboratively, doing our own part, bringing our own expertise. Ultimately, it’s a labor of love because we want to have the most relevant collection for our students, and we also want to provide quality materials that are in good shape for others who will be excited to receive them.”
The project supports BYU–Hawaii’s mission to prepare students from the Asia-Pacific region to become leaders in their communities, families, and chosen fields, while building the kingdom of God. By donating books to these regions, the university continues to foster meaningful connections and provide valuable resources that support education and community development.
Reei Temakei, a BYUH student and assistant data analyst for the Joseph F. Smith Library, helped coordinate the effort to reach Senator Wakai and shared her personal connection to the project. “I feel so grateful for this unexpected blessing and opportunity for the people of my region. Since I am from Kiribati and I served my mission in the Micronesia Guam Mission on the islands of Guam and Palau, it feels personal. This project is an answer to my prayers. It’s an honor to be part of something that will directly impact my people,” Temakei said. “It took a lot of teamwork to make this happen, and I truly see how God’s hand was in this.”
In addition to the book donations from BYU–Hawaii, community member Aaron Campbell stepped in to organize a book drive focused on children’s and young adult literature. His contributions will complement the library’s donation when the crates are ready to be shipped.
This donation project exemplifies BYU–Hawaii’s commitment to serving communities in the Asia-Pacific region and sharing its resources in support of education and learning, testifying to the principle that “knowledge is the power of God unto salvation.”
