In the Warehouse
These shipments are currently being assembled in IBP’s warehouse. Typically, a shipment that is being put together in the warehouse already has funding secured from a partner, grant, or sponsor. Depending on the stock of books we have and the size of the requested shipment, it may take anywhere from a few weeks to several months for a shipment to be packed and ready to go!
Mookane Community Library – Botswana (1 pallet)
International Book Project is currently coordinating with a Peace Corps Volunteer in Botswana to stock a newly-established community library. IBP is packing a wide variety of books on a pallet to ensure the greatest possible range of topics, including fiction books for all ages and nonfiction books on topics such as math, grammar, history, science, philosophy, and art.
Central Leadership Academy – Liberia (1 pallet)
IBP is packing a pallet of books to send to Central Leadership Academy, a school in Liberia that seeks to give learning opportunities to children living in impoverished or rural areas and refugees. They have requested a wide array of books, from picture books to textbooks on physics, geography, and computer science.
Multiple Partners – The Philippines (6 pallets)
International Book Project is currently packing six pallets of books that will be distributed to 18 different partners in the Philippines, including 11 public schools, two colleges, and several community organizations. This project involves coordination with Filipino government officials, educators, Peace Corps Volunteers, and community leaders. When the shipment arrives, it will provide approximately 10,000 books to these partners.
Bai Bilim Public Foundation – Kyrgyzstan (20′ container)
IBP is currently packing a 20′ container for the Bai Bilim Public Foundation, a nonprofit literacy and education initiative in Kyrgyzstan. Bai Bilim Public Foundation plans to distribute the donated books to a network of public schools, libraries, orphanages, and community centers in underserved regions of Kyrgyzstan. The foundation estimates that over 2,000 people will be directly served by this container of books.
University of Banja Luka, Faculty of Medicine – Bosnia and Herzegovina (20′ container)
IBP is currently gathering medical books published after the year 2000 for the University of Banja Luka Faculty of Medicine in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Their medical library is outdated and they are in desperate need of high-quality medical books. They have requested a 20′ sea container. Over 500 medical students, faculty members, and healthcare practitioners will make use of the books.
IBP is currently urgently in need of medical books published after the year 2000 to support this partner.
In Transit
…and they’re off! Shipments in transit are on the way to their destination. International shipping can take months due to customs, weather conditions, and geopolitical events. Sea containers make their way to our partners via massive freight ships. Pallets are sometimes sent on ships as well, but may also be sent via air mail.
The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus – Ethiopia (40′ container)
The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) requested a 40′ sea container from IBP. EECMY has launched several community development initiatives in Ethiopia, including health services, education, and nature conservation programs. With this container of books, EECMY plans to establish libraries and supplement classroom materials at nearby schools. The container, holding more than 33,000 children’s books, left IBP’s warehouse in June and is still en route to its destination.
Freedom to Read Project – Nigeria (1 pallet)
IBP recently shipped a pallet (28 boxes) of books to the Freedom to Read Project (FRP), a nonprofit located in Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria. Ikorodu does not have a public library system, so FRP works to fill that gap, providing free library services to 30 communities. FRP has received small shipments from IBP in the past, and reports, “The books you sent are of a very high quality….We are proud to say IBP is the wind beneath our wings. We are where we are today because of the support of your organization.”
To help FRP grow and improve its much-needed services, IBP is packing more than 1,500 books to send to Nigeria. FRP will use the books to supplement local school libraries and administer a summer reading program.
Arrival
These shipments have recently reached their destinations. After a long journey from Lexington, Kentucky, our books have finally reached their new home!
Biblioteka e Lushnjes (Library of Lushnje) – Albania (1 pallet)
A pallet of books recently arrived at the Library of Lushnje in Albania from Lexington, KY! The library receives little government funding and has few books, most of which are outdated. Our partner, a Peace Corps Volunteer, hopes that this infusion of new books into the library’s catalog will increase community use of the library.
In a kind thank-you letter, the Peace Corps Volunteer shared words of thanks from Eriselda Sefa, the mayor of Lushnje: “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your donation! I believe reading is the gateway to opportunity, especially for our youth here in Albania.”
Pepper Coast Library Project – Liberia (1 pallet)
A pallet (28 boxes) of K-8 fiction and nonfiction books was recently received by the Pepper Coast Library Project in Liberia. Their goals are to establish libraries in Monrovia, establish literacy programs for Liberian students, and make books accessible to Liberian students who cannot afford them.
EuroFuture NPO – Ukraine (11 boxes)
The mission of EuroFuture NPO is to create a dynamic space for learning and development, empowering youth and lifelong learners through language education, non-formal learning programs, and creative cultural projects.
IBP used all of the fundraised money and donor matching funds to send as many books as possible to Ukraine. Due to current world events, shipping issues, and customs regulations, IBP was unable to send a full pallet as we had originally hoped to. We had to send the boxes one by one, which is much more expensive. All told, we were still able to get 11 boxes of books to EuroFuture! These books will allow EuroFuture to:
- Expand their collection to reach more students, adult learners, and displaced individuals who rely on the library for language development.
- Enhance educational programs, including reading clubs, storytelling sessions, and English workshops.
- Bridge the literacy gap by providing free, high-quality resources to underserved learners who lack access to English-language books.
Union Local Elementary – Ohio, United States (1 pallet)
International Book Project sent a pallet of easy readers and elementary fiction chapter books to Union Local Elementary in Ohio to support their new book vending machine. Children may receive a book from the vending machine (to keep) as a reward for various positive behaviors.
Malawi – Arrived March 2025 (40′ container)
Sent in November 2024, a 40′ sea container full of books finally reached its destination of Malawi in March 2025. Comprised of over 24,000 books, the shipment was distributed to schools in need across the entire country.
Over 80% of Malawians live in rural villages and towns, and more than 40% are age 15 or younger. Most Malawians work in the agricultural sector, farming crops such as corn, groundnuts (peanuts), cassava, bananas, sweet potatoes, and rice.
Beginning in grade 5, classes in Malawi are taught in English, which is also the language commonly used in legislative and administrative documents and in higher education. Other languages common in Malawi are Lomwe, Yao, and Tumbuka.
Since the books’ arrival to Malawi, our partner has delivered boxes of books to more than 20 schools all over the country.
