FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, December 10, 2002

Peace Corps Unveils Online Library

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 10, 2002—Today, Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez announced the launch of Peace Corps’ Web-based Online Library. The Online Library contains materials used to train and support Peace Corps staff, volunteers, and host country partners. This is the first time in the 41-year history of Peace Corps that the organization on-line has been able to make available to the general public the knowledge that it has accumulated about development, culture, and traditions of people in the countries in which Peace Corps serves.

Peace Corps’ new Online Library is an excellent resource for organizations and individuals working in international and domestic community development. The online release of these publications is instrumental in extending Peace Corps’ knowledge to others that may work in communities with diverse cultures, teach English to speakers of other languages, work with and manage volunteer programs, support community development projects, or plan for disaster prevention and mitigation.

The addition of the Online Library to the Peace Corps Web site is part of the agency’s mission to use innovative technology to maximize communications and share knowledge more efficiently around the globe. In accordance with the President’s Management Agenda, the launch of the Online Library allows Peace Corps to meet expanded e-government initiatives. The Peace Corps’ continued expansion of its Web site to include features such as the Online Library will allow for an increase in productivity and the ease of electronic access for citizens; thus, increasing the transparency of programs and operations.

All materials from the Online Library can be accessed and downloaded for use from the Peace Corps Web site at www.peacecorps.gov/library.

Since 1961, more than 165,000 volunteers have served in the Peace Corps, working in such diverse fields as education, health and HIV/AIDS education, information technology, business development, the environment, and agriculture. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a two-year commitment.
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