🚀 go-pugleaf

Yuri L. Izhvanov
Center for New Information Technologies
Deputy Director
Ministry of Education
Russian Federation

E-mail: <yl@izhvanov.isrir.msk.su>

Dear Mr. Izhvanov

I would like to expand the existing "Palms Electronic Russian Public
Library" of 800 free adult and children's books which exists at
http://www.informika.ru/windows/books/gutenb/list.html to includea
separate library for children's books in general as well as and school
text-books. 

Because there is a shortage of textbooks in the schools of Russia, I
propose to you that we jointly create in the Palms Electronic Russian
Public Library a section for children and their schools. 

I propose that such a library be established and that:

1. A program of collaboration begin with Russian teachers to help them
locate textbooks in the world which will bring to their students the
most complete accurate information needed for their development and
education

2. That we post such books in the electronic library and systematically
create translations into Russian with the assistance of Russian volunteers
who speak English or other languages

3. That in exchange children's fiction books in Russian be translated into
English and be added to our world electronic library so that existing
Russian children's literature may be shared with the children of the
world. 

In this regard please note the following introduction which I will provide
in the Russian language as the introduction of this program on the home
page of the "Palms Electronic Russian Children & School Library"
____________________________________________________________________


There is a great shortage of books of all types for Russian children. 
This includes school text books. The purpose of the Palms Electronic
Russian Children and School Library is to make such books available
electronically to every child and every school in Russia without cost 

In the process of creating and expanding this library we invite:

* volunteer translators world wide, who are native Russian speakers, to
assist with the translation of books from other languages including
German, English and Dutch into Russian, and creating an electronic
copy, using their computer at home or at work.

* volunteer typists world-wide, with or without translation skills to
assist with typing into electronic form, the hard-copy printed texts of
suitable books in whatever language they now exist, irrespective of whether
they understand such languages or not. 

* requests from Russian teachers for specific texts for meeting teaching
requirements of certain courses.

* Permission from publishers world-wide, for the inclusion of school text
  books into the electronic library using Russian and other languages.
__________________________________________________________________________

These books in Palms Electronic Russian Children's Library are designed to
create awareness of diversity in perspective and experience alike.
Collected works seek out diverse cultures and apply them as a lens through
which to view a specific topic or theme. It is our goal to explore topics
of general interest and in the process subtly demonstrate a connection
between the cultures of the world. 

Russian children are often in situations where they interact with
nationalities and ethnic groups other than their own. In cases of
immigration, children can be exposed to no or very little reference
material other than that of the host country and culture. 

Regardless of the demographic make-up of your class or social circle,
exposing children to multi-cultural materials has proven beneficial to
their future development, self-perception and interaction with others. 

Educators and parents alike witness developmental phases in children's
everyday experiences. These childhood milestones often transcend one's
cultural circle of reference. These collected works accompany these
explorational curiosities with selected literature from a multi-cultural
perspective. 

In classroom settings, when discussing topic-related materials such as
holidays, nature, self-esteem, relationships etc., illustrated stories are
often used to accompany these special periods. 

The collected works help educators and parents expose their children to a
broad variety of children's literature, one topic at the time.  Presenting
different perspectives allows parents and teacher to employ a truly
multi-cultural and socially pluralistic approach in teaching kids today. 

The library will deal with all subjects, including but not limited to

                     * Family & Friends, Tolerance & Sharing
                     * Learning / School
                     * Failure, Fear & Loss
                     * Environmental Issues
                     * Relationship with Animals
                     * Holidays
                     * Individualism, Expression, Gender & Body Awareness
                     * Arts, Music and Dance
                     * Nature & Science
                     * Countries, Cultures & Languages
                     * Human Rights
                     * Eating and Cooking
                     * Disabilities

                     -- Suggest a new topic --

__________________________________________________________________________

Mr. Izhvanov

 I am interested in your position on multi-cultural literature for Russian
children and whether you would be willing to support me with the
suggestion to add such a library for Russian children and their schools to
your webserver

Are you willing to assist me to reach Russian teachers to obtain their
participation in this program?

The future of Russia lies in its children. I shall very much appreciate
your reaction to this proposal. 

     S uvajheniem i nailuchshimi pozhelaniyami, 

Pyotr Joannevich van de Waal-Palms, General Director, Tovarichestvo Palmsa, 
Palms & Company, Inc., Investment Bankers. <russia@aa.net> 
WWW url: http://www.aa.net/~russia 
In Russia at Ministry of Education: "Palms Electronic Russian Free Public
Library" http://www.informika.ru/windows/books/gutenb/list.html