Our impact
Books give people the power to change their lives for the better and create a more equal future. Every year, we offer the opportunity to read to millions.
Supporting the SDGs
The 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a blueprint for a better, fairer future – and equal access to information is right at the heart of almost all of them. By sharing the power of books worldwide, we can help turn these goals into a reality. Our Theory of Change outlines how we create access to books around the world.
We have the greatest impact on three SDGs:
SDG 4: Quality education
Books transform learning. They help teachers teach and bring students closer to their lessons. They lift the quality of education forever. That’s why we work with our partners to create and support school libraries. Since 2017, we’ve established 986 brand new libraries.
We also train teachers and librarians to feel more confident running libraries so that they can use books to enrich their classroom lessons and fire children’s imaginations. We’ve trained 3,225 teachers and librarians since 2017.
By helping to improve education, we also help people to break the cycle of poverty – that’s SDG 1 – and reduce inequality – SDG 10.
SDG 3: Good health and wellbeing
In many communities where we work, there are not enough doctors, nurses and healthcare workers, and those who are practising struggle to access up-to-date information.
Every year, we provide tens of thousands of specialist medical books, so students and experienced medics can build their skills and provide the highest level of care.
Since 2016, we’ve provided medical books worldwide
SDG 5: Gender equality
Reading books by and about female role models can help girls see themselves and their world in a whole new light. It can break down stereotypes and open up possibilities.
So, as well as providing carefully selected books to encourage and inspire girls, we include gender issues in our training for partners and we actively seek out partners who focus on gender issues.
We are especially conscious of the needs of women who have been displaced or who live with conflict.
Impact stories
Hope for his daughter’s future
Parents like Davidson are seeing how books can transform their children’s education, opening doors for the future. This is his story.
Helping Justin become a lawyer
Justin is a refugee with ambitions plans. Find out how books are helping him make his dream a reality.
A better life through books
Sharon grew up in an informal community at the edge of Nairobi. Despite the challenges she faced, she knows the power books and perseverance can truly have.
Moving books to far places
Rogers grew up with no books and went on to found his own library – including a bicycle library. This is his story.
Ever seen a four-legged library?
Secret weapons (with humps) are helping desert communities in Somaliland to read brand new books.
Reading to fulfil dreams
In 2016 Emmanuel travelled from South Sudan to the Rhino Refugee Camp in Uganda and has been working hard to achieve his goals ever since. This is his story.
Voices from Syria
In February, devastating earthquakes rocked Syria and Turkey. When the time comes, we stand ready to restock reading spaces that have been destroyed – because for students like Ahmed, education can’t wait.
Lighting up young minds
Daniel is a student in a small school in Kanyera Village in Malawi. With the new books and solar lights available, he is able to read at home at night with the support of his grandma.
An opportunity to read
Rosemary has always loved books. It’s this love that has led her to her role in her school library alongside teaching, and it’s what she believes is the key to a bright future.
More about us
How we select and send books
We work with partners to make sure books that will have the biggest impact go where they are needed most.
Read moreOur mission and vision
Our vision is a world where everyone has access to books that will enrich, improve and change their lives.
Read more