A Unicamp Publisher took another important step within the scope of its policy of valuing book culture and the democratization of knowledge. In an unprecedented action in the country, through a partnership with the Student Support Service (SAE), the Editora distributed, throughout this week, more than 16 thousand books published by it to around 8 thousand students entering 2022 and 2021. Each student received two books and a folder about the Editora.
The initiative was preceded by the first Campanha donation launched by Editora in August 2021 and closed andn February 2022, which culminated in the distribution of 22.204 books to 101 public libraries in 72 municipalities in all regions of the State of São Paulo. Together, the two actions resulted in the donation of more than 38 thousand copies (see numbers and aspects of the two campaigns in the table below).
According to the director of Editora da Unicamp, linguist Edwiges Maria Morato, the objective of the first donation campaign was to share knowledge and encourage reading in all public spaces and networks in the State of São Paulo, disseminating quality bibliography and intellectual productions. and making technical, artistic and scientific works accessible to diverse audiences.
"This is an impactful action within the scope of public policies, aimed at one of the basic values of libraries, which is access to information and knowledge. With the campaign, we reached an invaluable number of users from different social strata and professional occupations”, says Edwiges Morato.
The rector of Unicamp, Antonio José de Oliveira Meirelles, celebrated the results of the two campaigns, emphasizing the importance of actions like these to bring the University closer to society. “Donating books published by Unicamp to public libraries and to students entering our University is an original and efficient way of disseminating high-level knowledge and taking the name of the institution beyond the limits of academia”, says Meirelles.
Like the rector, Edwiges Morato highlights the public nature of the actions carried out by the Editora. “Both campaigns are part of an initiative of sharing and interaction with internal and external communities, linked to the functions of a public university like Unicamp”, endorses the director of Editora, remembering that its historical role is at the heart of the University. “commitment to the dissemination and circulation of knowledge from a broad socio-cultural spectrum, with the integration between teaching, research and academic and cultural extension, with the encouragement of reading and the experience of citizenship”.
Second campaign
In the case of donations made at Calourada, Edwiges says she hopes that, in addition to celebrating the return to face-to-face activities at the University, after a two-year gap, the distribution of books at the reception for incoming students, carried out with the logistical support for teaching and research units, serves to “encourage reading and book culture, as well as arouse interest in the University's good libraries and also in the Livraria da Editora, located in the Central Library building on the Barão Geraldo campus”.
For Mariana Freitas Nery, coordinator of SAE, the exceptionality of a scenario marked by complications caused by the pandemic made so that the reception for new students, “always special for the University”, took on new aspects, becoming “even more significant”, especially due to the fact that the student may feel insecure upon returning. “It is very important for us, as an institution, that these students feel part of Unicamp.”
In this context, says the SAE coordinator, the distribution of books was fundamental in welcoming new entrants. “This year's kit had the wonderful addition of two books donated by the Publisher, which certainly helped to show the students how happy we are with their arrival. This is an excellent way to publicize the work that the Editora carries out at our University, as well as encouraging reading among our students”, says Mariana Nery.
Encouraging reading was also one of the points highlighted by the Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Ivan Toro, when talking about the campaign. For the director, the books help incoming students, the majority of whom are young, in understanding the “complexities of the contemporary world”, both in their area and in general knowledge.
"At PRG [Pro-Rectory of Undergraduate Studies], we are extremely grateful and excited about the donations made through the partnership between Editora da Unicamp and SAE. In addition to bringing benefits, including increased vocabulary and creativity, the Reading can be a great opportunity for leisure, expanding cultural horizons and professional development", points out Ivan Toro.
According to Edwiges Morato, when undertaking the two campaigns, Editora da Unicamp considers that donations transcend the act of gifting or offering. “It is also transferring, sharing, holding responsibility and providing others with care and collective enjoyment of the symbolic and material good of which they take possession. The purpose of the campaigns is to seek out new readers, stimulate those who already use public libraries, and encourage students to build their libraries with books from Editora da Unicamp”, states the director of the Editora.
