The Bookgroup is a sub-division of the Scottish Czech and Slovak Summer Scholarship Fund (WWW.SCSSSFUND.org.uk) formed in 2005 to oversee book donations to universities in the Czech Republic and Slovakia whose students apply for courses in Scotland and find difficulties in obtaining books on the Reading List. Members of the Book Group are Dr. Halla Beloff, Libuse Cochrane-Muir, Nan Mulder and Lida Pankoviak, to whom enquiries and requests may be directed. The most popular Course the Fund has sponsored students to attend is the Scottish Universities International Summer School (SUISS). The majority of books collected are therefore modern and post-modern literature taught by the Summer School. It is suggested that the books provided should be deposited in the Departmental Libraries of each University. There is a named contact person in each Institution in charge of liaison with the Book Group. Loans to students attending Summer Courses are given priority. Otherwise they should be made available to all students studying English Language and Literature.
Wherever possible books are purchased second-hand. Books are usually delivered to and posted within the Czech Republic and Slovakia by people who travel there anyway.
To give an example, during the financial year 2007 - 2008 some l50 books were sent to the 6 universities on our list and to certain individuals who we know engaged on various projects of study and teaching in the area of English, Scottish and Irish literature.
Moneys came from the Fund and private donations. Halla Beloff finds books in charity shops. All were second-hand.
Where no friendly courier was available, some parcels have been sent by post. These have all arrived safely. There is no question that they are received with enthusiasm and thanks.