African Library Project

The African Library Project changes lives by starting libraries in rural Africa. Our grassroots approach mobilizes volunteers, of all ages, to organize book drives and ship books to start or improve a library in Africa. We can make a concrete and personal difference for children and communities on both continents.

We make it easy for any group to establish a sustainable library in an African community. Here's how it works:

We match an approved African library project with a U.S.-based school, organization or individual that agrees to collect 1,000 gently used books and to raise the money to ship the books. We support book drive organizers with specific tools and methods to collect 1000 books and raise $500 per library project.

On the Africa side, we provide a manual on how to set up and run a library in a developing country. We also provide training and follow up to evaluate each project and encourage good library practices, so that donated books reach those who need them most.

You can help start a library in Africa by organizing your own book drive. Schools, Scouts, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, churches, college clubs, companies and many others can offer the gift of reading to an African community by recycling books from family bookshelves.

Organize a fun community book drive and help changes lives... book by book!