The mobile volunteer library project "UP"

The project began in early December 2014 with a book donation and exchange program where students from the Faculty of Information and Library Science received handmade gifts. After more than a month of implementation, with the help of many organizations such as Kim Dong Publishing House, the National Library, and students from within and outside the university, the project collected nearly 3,000 books in various fields. After the collection process, the Faculty's professional volunteer team processed and classified the materials. This also provided an opportunity for members of the Faculty of Information and Library Science to apply their learned skills and knowledge in practice and promote a positive image of their field of study.

This project includes organizing a mobile library and donating eco-friendly bookshelves to students at Ta Phoi Secondary School. Starting on the afternoon of January 23rd, the volunteers arrived in Ta Phoi commune, Lao Cai City, to begin the main activities of the project. With the help of officials from the Lao Cai City Youth Union, the Ta Phoi Commune Youth Union, and the teachers of the school, the group quickly settled into their accommodations.

Early the next morning, January 24th, the volunteers from the Information and Library Science Department began preparing for the exchange program, organizing the mobile library, and transferring and arranging books at the school. The exchange, in collaboration with Ta Phoi Secondary School, the Ta Phoi Commune Youth Union, and Apatite Company, included activities such as book introductions, gift giving to the school, gifts for students in difficult circumstances, and games with prizes for students. Nguyen Tran Thanh Phuong, a student in class 8A at Ta Phoi Secondary School, said:We're so happy to have you all here today. From now on, we can freely read books and stories right here at school."Seeing the students engrossed in turning the pages of their books on the school grounds, each volunteer felt even more joyful and happy with the collective effort they had put in."

In the afternoon and evening of the same day, the volunteers had a sports and cultural exchange with the Ta Phoi Commune Youth Union at the commune's cultural center. With enthusiastic support from the local people and students, the friendly football match ended with a 4-3 victory for the team of staff and students from the Faculty of Information and Library Science. However, seeing the joy of the students and the handshakes between the players of both teams after the match, everyone understood that the most important thing was not the result of the match, but the joyful moments of exchange between both sides. The program concluded with a cultural exchange in the evening, along with outdoor activities such as a bonfire and traditional bamboo dance, which received enthusiastic participation from everyone.

On January 25th, after cleaning up the school in the morning, the entire team had their last meal at the school before bidding farewell to Ta Phoi, boarding the bus, and officially ending the mobile volunteer library project in Ta Phoi commune, Lao Cai City, Lao Cai province. Witnessing the warm feelings of the people, teachers, and students of Ta Phoi Secondary School, the volunteers from the Information and Library Department look forward to continuing to bring more mobile volunteer library projects to children and people in mountainous areas in the future. These projects not only bring knowledge to underprivileged students but also contribute to promoting a reading culture and encouraging the sharing of books with everyone.