Exhibiting at the Ehime Library Conference / Library van from Japan drives “learning” in South Africa [NPO SAPESI-Japan]
NPO SAPESI-Japan Press Release: October 28, 2025 Library van from Japan drives “learning” in South Africa SAPESI-Japan exhibits at the National Library Conference in Ehime Non-profit organization SAPESI-Japan (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Chairman: Kenichi Ikezawa) is pleased to announce that it will be exhibiting at the 111th National Library Conference (Ehime
Conference), to be held from Thursday, October 30th to Friday, October 31st, 2025. SAPESI-Japan is collaborating with the Department of Basic Education of the Republic of South Africa to promote the “Mobile Library Project,” which involves donating and reusing mobile library vehicles that have completed their mission in Japan. To date, we have sent 54 vehicles to South African children, providing them with reading and learning opportunities.
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Prefectural Civic Cultural Center (2-5-1 Dogo-cho, Matsuyama City) Subcommittees / Multiple venues (Ehime Prefectural Gender Equality Center, Matsuyama City General Community Center, Ehime Prefectural Audio-Visual Welfare Center, Ehime University, Aiko Gakuen, etc.) Organizers: Japan Library Association (Public Interest Incorporated Association), Ehime Prefecture, Ehime Prefectural Board of Education, Matsuyama City, Matsuyama City Board of Education, Ehime Prefectural Library Association, Ehime District University Library Council, Ehime Prefectural High School Education Research Association Library Division, Ehime Prefectural Education Research Council School Library Committee, Ehime Prefectural Community Center Association About Exhibiting at SAPESI-Japan Date and Time: Friday, October 31, 2025, 9:00-18:00 Location: Matsuyama City General Community Center, 1st floor
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/145721/11/145721-11-5fe6aac6cf4cbba866f375c43aed106f-558×456.png Exhibition at the “National Library Conference Iwate Conference 2023” About the Recruitment of Mobile Library Vans Our organization is running a “Nationwide Recruitment Project for Mobile Library Vans.” We accept retired mobile library vans from local governments and libraries in Japan, refurbish them, and ship them as mobile library vans that will travel to public elementary schools in South Africa. After completing the necessary procedures locally, the vehicles will be used to deliver books to children. Please note that not all vehicles are eligible for donation, and our association will first check the condition of the vehicle. For more information, please contact us at our exhibition booth or via our website. About the South African Mobile Library Project This project aims to improve literacy and reading comprehension by delivering books to children in South Africa who have limited access to books using mobile library vehicles. Used library vehicles that have outlived their usefulness in Japan are donated to South Africa’s provincial education departments. Each education department secures librarians, drivers, and operating budgets to visit public elementary schools. SAPESI South Africa supports local activities. NPO SAPESI-Japan (South African Primary Education Support Association) Established in December 2008 as the Japanese sister organization of SAPESI (South African Primary Education Support Initiative), which was established in South Africa in 2006. SAPESI continues to operate a mobile library dispatch program from Japan.
