Posted by Sudbury Northern Life
More than 28,000 books have been donated to Centre FORA (Centre franco-ontarien de ressources en alphabétisation) for its project, the French used bookstore/training and learning centre. Of these, 18,000 books were collected during the campaign "Du dessert pour le cerveau" (Food for thought), which ran from Oct. 6 to Dec. 6, 2008. Centre FORA had received the other 10,000 books prior to the start of the campaign. 
According to Yolande Clément, executive director of Centre FORA, the success of this book collection campaign is due to the wonderful generosity of both the public and its partners.
"I wish to thank all donors," she said. "This extraordinary result exceeds our expectations and validates the need to create, in Sudbury, a unique bookstore, which has a social and educational mission and at the same time, is accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation."
The primary mandate of the French used bookstore will be to offer workplace training to Francophone adult learners and youths at risk.
This social enterprise will operate under the direction of Centre FORA, a non-profit charitable organization. It will offer French books and educational and cultural products to the community at affordable prices, while helping youths and adults improve their language skills and essential workplace skills.
This project is supported by numerous partners, including Le Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l'Ontario, Le Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario, Collège Boréal, Le Carrefour Options+ and Le Centre Alpha-culturel de Sudbury.
This project is also made possible through the financial support of Human Resources and Social Development Canada, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, FedNor, and the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.
The French used bookstore is slated to open officially on April 23, during the International Book and Copyright Day. 
Individuals or organizations wishing to donate French books, DVDs, CDs or educational games to the French used bookstore throughout the year can contact France Jodoin, project manager, at [email protected] , or Michèle Turenne, administrative support, at [email protected] , or by phone at 677-5681.
Donations brought directly to Centre FORA or Librairie du Centre, at 432 Westmount Ave, will entitle the donor to an automatic 10 per cent discount on any purchase made the same day.
