Stataphobia, the Library of Alexandria, and the Big Tent

Dear Statistical Friends

Ismail Serageldin, Ph.D. the Director of the Library of Alexandria, and I (Ronald LaPorte, Ph.D.), Emeritus Professor and Director of a WHO Collaborating center are concerned about the very limited scientific publications from Arabic and African Countries.  One of the primary reasons for this is "Stataphobia" which is the fear of statistics and not having experts available to answer questions.  As a result we have established the Research Methods Library of Alexandria (RMLA).    http://ssc.bibalex.org/helpdesk/introduction.jsf

We also have a version of this in Arabic.  The Research methods Library of Alexandria (RMLA) to our knowledge is the  largest library dedicated exclusively to research methods and statistics, thus the "Big Tent" library.  In addition we have a network of 50,000 faculty from most of the African and Arabic Universities. Also there are 30  regional academic centers throughout Africa.  Besides our virtual collection, we are establishing perhaps the largest research methods library collection of books.  Ninety Five statistical experts are contributing over 6000 books to the library. The books will be shipped to Egypt and  will be in a collection with the donors names on  each.   Please look up at your bookshelf. Are there any books you have not openedin 5 years? Wouldn't they be of far more benefit teaching young researchers in Arabic and African countries then collecting dust?

We first wanted to see if you and other statistical experts in your country would like to join this global effort.  We would most appreciate if you could share  you think are the most important virtual  links to your statistical treasures, we have found only 5 statistics books on line.  We are especially interested in top quality youtube presentations. This will help you and the ASA to obtain greater recognition in Academia and the people of your country and the world.

We would like in some capacity to forge a partnership between the ASA and the Library of Alexandria. Thie "big tent" of statistics should include Arabic and African countries as it is here that is the greatest need to prevention stataphobia.

Please write to me at ronaldlaporte@gmail.com, to identify the best virtual materials, as well as to donate your little used statistics books and lectures to improve statistical literacy in developing countries.