Residents of Rostov Region collect books for South-Ossetian children

In Rostov-on-Don, the regional children's library named after Velichkina is gathering books for the children's library named after Mamsurov in South Ossetia.

"We've immediately reacted to the appeal for help," Natalia Kovalyova, chief librarian of the methodical division of the Rostov library, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. "We know that the children's library in Tskhinvali was burned down in August together with all its books."

Now, the lobby of the Rostov library is literally full of books brought here by city dwellers. People also donate CDs and DVDs with video films, but, first of all, Rostov librarians pick up classical literature and reference editions - encyclopaedias, dictionaries and books to cover the school curricula - for the library in South Ossetia.

"We offer everybody," Ms Kovalyova has added, "together with books to leave a postcard, a note or a letter with some kind words addressed to South-Ossetian schoolchildren."

For today, more than a thousand books have been collected. The action "Best books - to schoolchildren of South Ossetia" will last till the end of January 2009.