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One discussion between two Geotechnical Resources Inc.听(GRI) colleagues 鈥� Erica Hann and Tadesse Meskele 鈥� led to an effort to improve access to engineering textbooks in Ethiopia.

鈥淚 have been doing editing here,鈥� said Hann, a GRI production manager. 鈥淭adesse came in one day and saw my giant bookshelf full of books that I hardly use. We realized that there are there are tons of people that have all these books they don’t use, and it’s a chance to put them to use.鈥�

Meskele, a GRI staff engineer, saw the need for textbooks in Ethiopia firsthand when he attended school there as a youth.

鈥淏ack there, it is really hard to borrow books,鈥� said Meskele, who has a doctorate in geotechnical engineering from Oregon State University. 鈥淵ou get them for an hour and then someone else gets them. The books are up-to-date; there just aren’t enough of them.鈥�

It was not uncommon, he said, for a school to have 50 students for every textbook.

鈥淭hey don’t have (many) resources,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he number of students is too high. It’s hard to buy those books.鈥�

Hann and Meskele are working with the Ethiopian Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Network to collect textbooks to donate to libraries at Adama Science and Technology University in Adama, Ethiopia, and Addis Ababa Science and Technology University in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The STEM Network includes Ethiopian engineers working in the United States and Canada. The group’s aim is to help promote science and engineering in Ethiopia though teaching.

鈥淲e are hoping to get as many books as we can,鈥� Meskele said. 鈥淪o far we have about 100 books.鈥�

The group is collecting books that focus on general civil engineering, structural engineering, hydrology, geology, fluid mechanics, statics, dynamics and fundamentals of engineering. Most of the books so far have come from consultants and area engineers.

Books can dropped off at GRI offices, or arrangements can be made for pickup by contacting either Hann or Meskele at 503-641-3478. The group is also looking for monetary donations to help defray shipping costs.

鈥淲e are hoping to finish picking up the books from consultants (July 14),鈥� Hann said. 鈥淲e might be able to extend it if there is more interest.鈥�