Habele Matching Donations to Reopen MicSem Library

Over four decades, Micronesian Seminar (MicSem) built an internationally recognized library with 24,000 print titles, 82,000 historical photos, more than 800 videos, and 22,000 audio tracks. When MicSem operations ended in 2012, its library was stored at Xavier High School in Chuuk, and recently moved to Yap.

Relocation has saved the physical assets of the MicSem collection, but the tremendous value of this resource can only come from broad public access to an actively maintained–and expanding–collection that continues to document Micronesia’s living history. To fully reopen, MicSem needs operational resources beyond what can be provided by the library’s new host, Yap Catholic High School.

Father Hezel, in partnership with Yap Catholic’s Father Rich McAuliff, has developed a detailed plan to reopen the MicSem Library, based on a budget of $32,000. Habele, a US 501c3 nonprofit that serves students in Micronesia, has committed a 2-to-1 match from its own endowment for any individual donations contributed toward reopening MicSem.

Habele will award all raised and matched funds to Yap Catholic H.S. in the form of a MicSem-specific grant for implementation of the preservation plan authored by Fathers Hezel and McAuliff. Please donate today to help fully reestablish this important regional institution and resource, preserving and recognizing Father Hezel’s legacy of service and scholarship.

Visit www.habele.org/MicSem to learn more and donate.