Get involved – The Library Project

Time Out Shanghai – February 2010 – Rebecca Kanthor – For Tom Stader, founder of The Library Project, the way to improve education for rural students is to keep it simple. So he inexpensively provides libraries for small schools.

The Library Project has built 225 libraries from scratch in the past four years for remote and resource-poor schools serving small populations (between four and 100 students). TLP provides these schools with a library—bookshelves, books, tables, chairs, globes and painting supplies for the kids to brighten up the classrooms together.

“It’s a huge boost to the kids’ education,” says Stader. “Some kids want to read about dinosaurs and rocket ships. Books can speak a language that kids get excited about.” Partnering with the Xi’an Charity Association, The Library Project’s focus is small elementary schools and orphanages in earthquake-affected Sichuan and throughout China. Stader says his organization keeps the prices low so they can have a greater impact. “Libraries are really cheap—between 5,000 and 8,000 RMB—so it’s very easy for people to make a difference.”

How you can help:

Volunteers can adopt a school of their choice and organize fundraising events. After adopting a school, volunteers can visit or see photos of the library in use. For a first-hand experience, TLP also needs energetic volunteers to trek out to recipient schools, help unpack and set up all the library supplies and introduce them with games.

The Library Project has big goals to build another 125 libraries in 2010. To see their results, plans and opportunities, visit the organization’s phot and info-packed website at www.library-proect.org. Those interested in volunteering can contact Jocelyn@library-project.org.

About The Library Project

The Library Project donates books and libraries to under financed schools and orphanages in China. They believe education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty that exists in the developing world. As they see it, education is change. The Library Project accomplishes this by; getting the local community involved through book drives and awareness raising, providing libraries to under financed orphanages and elementary schools, and partnering with local NGOs (charities) and companies.

The Library Project has some amazing yet attainable goals: by the end of 2010 they will have donated over 350 libraries to rural elementary schools and orphanages in China. Their goal is to develop The Library Project into an organization that helps empower millions of children every year through the gift of education. This goal will take an enormous amount of dedication, planning, and hard work. They need your help.

To get involved, please check out their website at www.library-project.org.

If you have any questions, please contact Tom Stader, The Library Project's Founder.

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