Sierra Leone Library Board and the Institute of Public Administration Management Library both received shelves formerly housed in Bathurst Library.

Patou Clerc, librarian manager, Bathurst Regional Library, said it was a great result for everyone involved in the project.

"Whilst the Bathurst Library was undergoing a refurbishment early last year, it was decided that the old shelving, furniture and selected books would be donated to help build a library in Africa.

"The supplier of the shelving, Abax Kingfisher, offers a lifecycle policy and proposed the used items be donated to help build a university library in Freetown, the capital and largest city of Sierra Leone, West Africa."

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Having arrived last week, Ms Clerc said the old shelves from Bathurst Library are now carrying books again.

"It took a while since they left Australia last year because the container got held up in customs in a Sierra Leone port for some months, but with the persistence of the Madiba Project Incorporated Project team, the shelves are now put to a good use," she said.

Ms Clerc thanked everyone involved in the project, including inmates from Bathurst Jail, who assisted packing the shelves for transport.

"When it came time to load the container, it was difficult to get volunteers. The mayor suggested we contact the local jail and the inmates came and helped us out.

"It's an amazing result."