Our Mission

The Library Project donates libraries to under financed schools and orphanages in the developing world. We believe education is the key motivator to breaking the cycle of poverty that exists in the developing world. As we see it education is change.

Brief History

Tom Stader, Founder and Director, launched The Library Project in 2006. Through his travels and time spent living in Southeast Asia and China, Tom became aware of the range of cultural diversity throughout the region. What affected him the most was the lack of quality education for all children.

In the winter of 2006, The Library Project created our first two libraries in Dalian, China at two orphanages. We donated over 6,000 books, tables, chairs, posters, mats and lighting for the children.

In the Spring of 2007, The Library Project expanded to Vietnam. So far our introduction to Vietnam has allowed us the opportunity to build a library at a local elementary school. We provided over 250 children’s books to supplement the small school’s curriculum. Two more libraries, one at local elementary schools and another at a HIV/AIDS clinic, are projected to open within the year.

In the Summer of 2007, The Library Project moved into their field office in Xi'an, China. To date they have provided over thirty libraries to rural elementary schools and orphanages in China. By Winter 2008 The Library Project completed providing libraries to their first school district, improving every elementary school's level of education.

In the Spring of 2008, The Library Project moved onto their second and third school districts to improve in China. They are located in the very remote and mountainous souther region of the ShaanXi Province. By the end of 2008 we will have provided libraries to over fifty elementary schools in both Lan Gao County and Zi Yang County. To learn how you can get involved, please check out our Adopt a Library page.

Programs

The Library Project has developed two programs to help children gain the gift of education.

Orphanage Program — We establish bi-lingual libraries for small orphanages in China and Vietnam. These libraries are filled with colorful English books and local language books that are either purchased in-country or acquired through local community based book-drives. The reading area is designed to be a safe and accessible place for children to feel comfortable and to nurture their educational curiosities. Colorful posters, games, furniture, and floor mats make the orphanage libraries an inviting and happy place for the children to learn and grow.

Elementary School Program — We provide bi-lingual libraries for elementary schools in China and Vietnam. We provide shelving, furniture, and floor mats depending on a school’s need. Although many local schools have some of these infrastructural items, they often lack the books to put on the shelves or have books so old that they are falling apart. The Library Project without a doubt improves the quality of education for every student in an elementary school in Asia through the gift of books.

2008 Earthquake Program — On May 12, 2008 China experienced a 7.9 earthquake in Sichuan Province. 70,000 people died, and over five million people were left homeless because of this disaster. It is projected that thousands of elementary schools have been damaged in the Sichuan and Shaanxi Provinces. The Library Project will be providing books and libraries for elementary schools and orphanages as they are rebuilt or repaired through our 2008 Earthquake Program.

During both types of projects we involve the local community and the children as much as possible. We do this through local community based book-drives that raise awareness of the issues surrounding orphanages and underprivileged schools. The children are involved in many aspects of a library’s development and construction by helping to unpack the books, set up mats, and clean the new space. As a reward for the children’s assistance, a small party is arranged with educational games, balloons, and crafts.

Results to Date

The Library Project is all about results.

• Established 35 libraries in China and Vietnam
• Donated over 50,000 local language children’s books
• Over 80 libraries are projected to open in China in 2008

Future Expansion

Throughout 2008, The Library Project will be expanding its programs. Our goal is to have over 80 libraries by the end of 2008. This is an aggressive number, and we cannot achieve this alone.

If you would like to learn how you can get involved, please click here.