Boxes of donated books labeled with the “964” campaign logo are stacked at the Chamchamal Public Library as part of a donation drive launched by 964media to restore the library’s collection after severe flooding destroyed thousands of books. Photo by 964media.
964media delivers 6,000 books to Chamchamal library after floods destroyed collection
CHAMCHAMAL — 964media said Tuesday it has delivered nearly 6,000 books to the Chamchamal Public Library, concluding a campaign launched after floods earlier this month destroyed the library’s entire collection.
The outlet said the books were formally handed over Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, after donations were gathered through a campaign it launched to help revive the damaged library. Floodwaters swept through Chamchamal and submerged the library, ruining thousands of books. Residents from Zakho to Garmian responded to the appeal, enabling the collection of close to 6,000 books, 964media said.
Library director Herish Abdulrahman welcomed the donation. “With this gift, you have made us happy,” he said. “There are many valuable books included, some of which were not even available in our own library, so they will fill very good gaps in our collection.”
Abdulrahman said “10,054 books were damaged at the Chamchamal Library because of the flooding,” and thanked donors, saying their contributions helped ease part of the loss.
The campaign followed flooding that left nearly a meter of water inside the library building, destroying around 10,000 books and magazines and rendering the facility unusable within minutes, according to the draft. The library has served residents and students across Chamchamal district for 39 years.
964media said it initially pledged to donate 100 books and called on publishing houses, authors and readers to contribute. Cultural organizations and residents also pledged support, including the Khall Organization for Thought and Culture, which said it would donate all its printed publications.
Heavy rainfall across the Kurdistan Region this month caused deaths, injuries and widespread damage to homes and infrastructure in multiple areas, including parts of Kirkuk governorate.