Susan Roth, noted children’s author whose project, Let’s Hold Hands, has reached across the world, presented an update on the project and opened an exhibit of her unique collages at Appalachian State University Tuesday, April 5 2009. Her visit was sponsored by Belk Library and Information Commons.

The Let’s Hold Hands project involves children creating dolls in their images to send to other countries as an expression of international understanding and peace. Roth’s presentation was followed by comments from three Appalachian students who took the project to Egypt and from one recent graduate who used the project with children in Bolivia. Jenny McCourry, a first grade teacher at Hardin Park Elementary School in Boone, also talked about using Let’s Hold Hands to teach her students about mid-Eastern countries and the need for global understanding.

Appalachian students and faculty have taken Let’s Hold Hands to children in Ghana, Russia, Bolivia, Egypt, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Peru and Nicaragua where they all created biographical dolls. The dolls that were made by Appalachian students were left with the children who in turn gave their dolls to the students to bring to the United States.

Mission - Provide leadership in the Library on issues related to multiculturalism and the provision of library services to people from diverse backgrounds by offering staff development opportunities to stimulate diversity awareness, promoting outreach to the university community; and advising the Library administration on issues and activities.

Activities - Biannual orientation and reception for international students, cultural event celebrations and participation in the University Diversity Week and International Education Week.