Korce Free American Library
and Learning Center (K - 12 and University)

The Korce Free American Library and Learning Center is doing just great. It has been nearly six years since the library was established and dedicated for the District of Korce.

We all owe Ariana Themelli (George Kerhalli's sister-in-law), who was our first director of the Library, our deepest gratitude for being a terrific manager and organizer. Mary Hunter, the Albanian-American librarian from Texas, did a wonderful job training Ariana - who then made it all happen with her two able assistants, Anxhela Cece and Xhensila Qinrci. When Ariana left for America, the leadership and responsibility torch was passed to Anxhela Cece, a very able and talented lady.

Mr. Peter Kole announced that three large shipping containers of books, shelving and miscellaneous furniture arrived safely on June 9, 2001 and stored in a warehouse that he rented in the city of Korce. Mr. Kole extends thanks to Congressman Sherrod Brown for his help in getting the containers shipped with Department of Defense funding. Also, a big thanks to Mr. Lou Foundos for providing contact with the U.S. Government Representative in Tirana, Mr. Chuck Levesque. Mr. Levesque helped in the arrangements through Customs for the three containers once they were in Greece. Finally, thanks to Mr. Agim Nesho, the Albanian Ambassador to the United Nations who worked with Mr. Kole to get the containers released by the Albanian government without having to pay the huge fines and duty charges which were imposed on the NEARO shipments.

The Library is now complete. This last shipment contained approximately 60,000 books from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Most of these books were published in the 1990's and are in very good condition. The Korce Library and Learning Center now has 200 - 300,000 books available for the people of Korce.

We have approximately 900 card-carrying members of the Korce Library in Albania. Both students and non-students use this library. Classes are provided for teaching the English language to children in the primary schools. The Library has become a major asset to the people of Korce.

Here are some pictures of the Library:

July 2002 Visit by U. S. State Department Established an Albanian Teachers Resource Center in the Korce Free American Public Library.