At last, we have gotten back to the job of collecting, sorting, and shipping books once again – in our beautiful new warehouse!

Our newly renovated space is an exciting development, but there is one way in which we remain unchanged – Founder Harriet Van Meter’s commitment to literacy continues to capture the spirit of those who value the opportunities that literacy provides.  She wisely recognized that partnerships were an effective way to grow her mission and she enlisted friends to donate books, money, and time to accomplish this. For 52 years, we have grown these friendships and today, our partnerships with individuals and organizations are just as important and still growing in number – locally, nationally, and internationally.

Here at home, our most important partnership is with our volunteers. Without their commitment and hard work, our small staff couldn’t accomplish what we now set out to do – shipping up to 500,000 books each year to over 200 different partners in 62 countries!  Every day, an individual or a group shows up to roll up their sleeves and sort books, pack boxes, work in the book store, sweep the floors, or personally select books for our small shipments.

Student groups from Sayre and Lexington Catholic high schools sort books into bins and can pack an entire pallet of books in an hour. Middle school students from the Lexington School and Sayre exuberantly master the art of packing boxes – and it is a feat of engineering to fill a box with no empty spaces!

University students from around central Kentucky run book drives in their departments then deliver and pack the books at IBP. Many of their service groups choose to come pack those books well.

Cypress Community Services brings a large group twice a week to pack boxes. These developmentally disabled adults come every time determined to pack more boxes than they did the time before (and they do!), enjoy snacks in our new container kitchenette, and visit with the staff. Wheelchairs and walkers now enjoy a fully ADA compliant building.

Retired individuals like teacher Janis, librarian Barbara, and university dean Jeanine keep the bookstore fully stocked and organized for our shoppers. They are also happy recommend their favorite books to anyone who needs a tip and this increases our sales!

We were thrilled to learn that one of EKU student Chris’ many talents was computer science so that he could help us make improvements to our Master Table tracking system.

Research at the London School of Economics examined the relationship between volunteering and measures of happiness in a large group of American adults. Results showed that the more people volunteered, the happier they were. It makes us happy that our volunteers choose International Book Project to serve their community and thousands of people they will never meet.  It makes us happy to receive letters that let us know that what we all do is succeeding:

Macedonia: “The selection you provided us with represents what I’m sure will become a treasured resource and window on other cultures for our students to look through”

South Africa: “We are grateful for our partnership with you via this book project that contributes massively in encouraging love for books and planting the culture of reading to children at an early age within our communities. Knowledge is power and books contain that power.”

Nicaragua: “The IBP book donation has helped make education and literacy a priority in these struggling schools. We estimate that literacy hours have increased by 3.5 hours per student per week as a result of the IBP donation.”

Nigeria: “Vera Nazarian writes insightfully that whenever you read a good book, somewhere in the world a door opens to allow in more light. In a Nigeria torn apart by religious and ethnic hatred, the power of books cannot be overemphasized. Let the light you have brought into the minds of these children open more doors for you.”

— Lisa Fryman, Executive Director

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8:00 to 9:00 a.m. – Susan Ishmael, Writer and IBP Board Member, International Book Project Warehouse, 1440 Delaware Avenue, Lexington KY

 9:30-10:30 a.m. – Young Adult novelist Sarah Combs reads from “The Light Fantastic,” Lafayette High School, 401 Reed Lane, Lexington KY  (for Lafayette students only)

 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. — Margaret Verble reads from and discusses, Maud’s Line, finalist for the 2016 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction, The Morris Bookshop, 882 East High Street, Lexington, KY 

 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. – Acclaimed Kentucky novelist, essayist and creative writing professor Ed McClanahan reads “Me and Gurney Goes Out on the Town,” West 6^th Greenroom, 109 West Main Street, Lexington KY

 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. – Retired Peace Corps Volunteers Angene Wilson, Harry Siler, Rachel Savane, Tara Lloyd and others read from “The Voices from the Peace Corps,” Sav’s Grill, 304 S. Limestone Street, Lexington KY

The post LEXRead FOR LITERACY! appeared first on IBP.

Matthew Jellick is currently working in Ethiopia and helped coordinate a sea container shipment to his local university. Below is an excerpt from his blog about his experience.

Over the past few months I have been helping to facilitate a Book Donation between a Non-Profit in the U.S. and my host institution in Ethiopia. Finally coming to fruition this past week, I am happy to announce that we received nearly 45,000 brand-new English textbooks from International Book Project, working in partnership with the U.S. Embassy and Dire Dawa University! With a list price of nearly half a million dollars, the books were supplied by McGraw Hill Higher Education and encompass a wide array of disciplines from Medicine to Education and from Law to Business. Not only for the sole use by the university, we have plans to also distribute them to local libraries and schools, ensuring that the larger community of learners has access to this incredible donation.

It was in November when I received an email from a colleague at the university asking me to help organize, acting as an intermediary between the Non-Profit in the United States, the Embassy in Addis Ababa and the University in Dire Dawa. With daily emails across the country and globe, and with weekly telephone calls to all parties involved, I can say that it has certainly been an interesting learning experience. Totally different in nature from the Nike Football Donation Project I am organizing, this Book Donation Project was more challenging in that it encompassed sea transport between the U.S. and Djibouti and then land transport between Djibouti and Ethiopia. Customs clearances, tariff billings and language barriers created a climate where it was actually easier and cheaper to move across 8,000 kilometers of Ocean than it was to transport over 400 kilometers of land. Nonetheless, last Friday we received the books at the University with the President and Vice President presiding over a small ceremony, happy that one part of the process had ended and encouraged about the next steps of utilization.

 From International Book Project was Merritt, who worked tirelessly from his end, updating me on the sea transit and alerting me to the arrival dates in Port. An expert who has done this before with many other countries, he helped guide me through the logistical side of things, including the packing lists, price points, and impending deadlines. Part of an incredible organization which “promotes literacy, education and global friendships” it was a treat to call the States on a weekly basis and get updates while at the same time shedding light on the sets of circumstances in Ethiopia which countering many of his assessments. A learning experience for everyone involved, I am honored to have been able to work with such an efficient and professional organization and would recommend their services and mission to anyone interested!

 In Ethiopia was my colleague from Dire Dawa University, Firew, who helped me navigate the endless complications which accompany even educational donations. Obtaining countless signatures (and stamps) from the Ministry of Education and joining me on meetings with the university administration, he was the voice of patience in an otherwise glacial process. Like his counterpart, Merritt in the U.S., without Firew’s help this probably would not have been possible. To ship a 40-foot container across the world is no small task and it truly takes a team to put ideas into practice.

 For its part, the Public Affairs Section at the Embassy helped out with some of the shipping costs, while International Book Project footed the other fees associated with such a large shipment. Currently the nearly 45,000 books are in the process of being cataloged through the university’s system, with smaller donations going to the local libraries and schools as deemed necessary by content and level. Moreover, members of the Front Office have plans to visit the university and hold a ceremony celebrating the donation while recognizing it as a truly beneficial endeavor for the larger community of Dire Dawa. We understand education as a means of empowerment and believe that through these books, worldviews will be expanded, English attainment will be increased and global partnerships will be solidified…

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Words cannot express how appreciative we are to receive thank you letters from our partners. We thank you for being so dedicated to promoting literacy and changing the world one day at a time through packing, shipping and donating books.

Here is an example of how much you mean to a school in the Philippines-

To Whom it May Concern,

Last month, I was at school when the village postman came and said I had a package.  He said it was too heavy to carry home with me, so he would bring it to my house. That did little to prepare me for the surprise I had coming.  Later, I was sitting at home when he pulled up on a pedicab stacked so high with boxes that he couldn’t see around them.  As he unloaded box after box, my neighbors poked their heads out to see the commotion.  Whole families started crowding in doorways to watch the spectacle unfold.  One neighbor yelled, “What is it?!”, but I could only reply with bewildered amazement.

I simply cannot find the words to express my gratitude. Nothing quite seems to cover it.  I thank you for my students, who sorely needed the resources; I thank you for myself, who sorely needed the support.  It was indescribably moving to see firsthand such open-handed generosity.

I wish there was something I could do in return.  Taking a few pictures seems such a paltry gesture in comparison.  I can only hope that the warmth of real feeling behind these words comes through.

 -Philippines

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We asked Charla a few questions and this is what she had to say–

1. What drew you to work in a nonprofit?

Growing up in eastern Kentucky, I noticed the effects of poverty at an early age. Living in poverty for the entirety of my life, and attending Berea College, I learned that poverty can affect far more than your income level. I’ve always been interested in community service and community development and the nonprofit realm seemed like the best place to lend my skills and talents, all while helping me work toward the eradication of poverty, both in America and abroad.

2. Why the International Book Project?
I love big books and I cannot lie. I carry a book with me everywhere I go, so I jumped at the chance to spend my days in a warehouse full of them. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been insanely curious about the world around me. Working with IBP allows me, almost daily, to learn and connect with others around the world.

3. What’s your favorite part of your job?
I have a pretty sweet office set up and regular access to coffee. Aside from those things, I really like interacting with the community and seeing firsthand the impact that books can make in the lives of others.

4. What’s your favorite book and why?
That’s a tough one, but I’d have to claim George Orwell’s Animal Farm or East of Eden by Steinbeck as all-time favorites. I remember reading Animal Farm in school when I was younger and absolutely loving it. Re-reading as an adult, I liked it even more. It’s a fun book, but it also hints at some serious issues too. And East of Eden is simply one of the greatest stories ever told.

5. What’s your favorite children’s book and why?
Peter Pan is easily my favorite children’s book. From a young age, it instilled in me a sense of wanderlust and childlike imagination. The characters have always been incredibly easy to relate to and the adventures have become classics.  As I’ve grown into an adult, I try to keep my own Peter Pan spirit alive and well.

6. Where do you most want to travel, but have never been?
I have always wanted to visit India. The multitude of cultures is so intriguing to me and I would love to be able to experience it firsthand.

7. If you could have any super power for one day, what would it be?
Easy question- I’d definitely choose teleportation. I hate wasting time between destinations.

8. Unlimited happiness or unlimited money?
I’d like to think I would choose unlimited happiness. As long as I feel happy and the people around me do too, money won’t worry me.

9. What advice would you give to your 10 year-old self?
Don’t be so hard on yourself, kid. Not everyone can be good at sports.

10.  What was the greatest television show of all time?
Doctor Who.

BONUS: What celebrity should play you in a movie about your life?
If I had a time machine, I’d want it to be Rita Hayworth. I’d also accept Emma Stone because she’s my idol.

The post Getting to Know You: AmeriCorps VISTA Edition appeared first on IBP.

Generally, people think of global literacy as being able to read and write. Literacy, however, is much more than that— it is coupled with competence or knowledge in specified areas.

DID YOU KNOW?

In the United States, 1 in 4 children will grow up without learning how to read. Moreover, statistics show that two-thirds of students without strong reading skills will end up in jail or on welfare. Today there are an estimated 30 million people over the age of 16 that are unable to read above an average elementary level. In today’s world, adults need strong literacy skills, not only to be successful in their own jobs, but also to best teach their children to develop strong literacy skills.

Unfortunately, poverty has a devastating effect on literacy in the U.S., and around the world. Two-thirds of children in America who are living in poverty do not have access to books for recreation.  As a result, these children are vulnerable to falling behind in school. In 2012 alone, 31 million primary aged children stopped going to school altogether and another 32 million had to repeat a grade. Increased focus on education and literacy could help because research shows that every year a child goes to school, in low-income countries, their occupational income rises by 10%.Almost all students who become high school dropouts end up on welfare at some point in their life. More than 70% of Americans who receive food stamps also happen to be in the lower two levels of literacy comprehension.

Teenage girls in the US who are living in poverty and also have limited literacy skills are almost six times more likely to have children before they are married, as opposed to girls their age who have high literacy skills.

The problem extends far beyond American soil too. There are more than 11 million children in sub-Saharan Africa who drop out of school before finishing their primary education; and the number is over 13 million in South and West Asia. In countries such as Mali, women who have a secondary level of education or higher have an average of 3 children, and women without access to education have an average of 7. In these countries, the income levels are lower and it is hard to provide for a larger family.

While the task seems daunting, there is hope. Every day we receive new requests for books. This is proof that the desire to learn and better oneself is alive and well, and growing.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

The International Book Project is devoted to promoting literacy worldwide. There are many opportunities for you to help. To find out how go to our HELP NOW: GIVE, GO, DO tab.

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What drew you to work in a nonprofit?

After having worked for Fortune 500 companies, the flexibility, camaraderie, and purpose of nonprofit work is more fulfilling at this stage of my life.  

Why the International Book Project?

The mission of the International Book Project feels like the right fit. I love books, the international scope, and the possibility of helping both children and adults improve their own lives by building on the skills that literacy provides. Literacy opens doors to education, employment, and creativity.

What’s your favorite part of being an Executive Director?

I’m new in this position, but I think my favorite part will be expanding on existing projects and partnerships and developing new ones in new places.  

What’s your favorite book and why?

Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner, an early environmentalist who loved the West and started the Stanford University creative writing program. The book is about long-time ordinary friendships, told through the lives and relationships of two couples who are at the end of life’s journey. Stegner said “Seen in geological perspective, we are fossils in the making, to be buried and eventually exposed again for the puzzlement of creatures of later eras… Here everything returns upon itself, repeats and renews itself, and the present can hardly be told from past.” The beauty of the book is that it is simply written and wonderfully complex. Some wonderful Kentucky writers who were Stegner fellows include Wendell Berry, Ed McClanahan, Gurney Norman, and James Baker Hall.  

What’s your favorite children’s book and why?

Childhood books become favorites because they spark a lifelong interest, open a door, or relate to our lives in a way we always remember. I am a dog lover and one of my favorite children’s books is Lad, A Dog by Alfred Payson Terhune. Lad was a more “gifted” collie than Lassie and was one of many dogs at Terhune’s famous Sunnybank Kennels in New Jersey. Each collie had a book written about them, and I read them all. I think I count it as a favorite, not because it was great children’s literature, but because my mother loved it as a child and picked it out for me at the library when I was about 8 years old. My other favorite is From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg where two children run away from home, live at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and solve a mystery. When I was about 9, I was locked in the Pasadena Children’s Library after hours, reading a book in a corner by the window and oblivious that the library had closed. Maybe I identified with the Met adventure!

Where do you most want to travel, but have never been?

I want to go hiking in Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, at the tip of South America and see where the Pacific meets the Atlantic.

If you could have any super power for one day, what would it be?

Time travel. Right now, I’ve only read about history and can only imagine the future.

Unlimited happiness or unlimited money?

It’s the things you do with the money that can make you happy. I can think of lots of things that would give me unlimited happiness – travel, philanthropy, and guilt free book-buying.

What advice would you give to your 10 year old self?

Do what makes you happy. If you do that, you will excel. If you excel, you will do great things. And don’t quit piano lessons.  

What was the greatest television show of all time?

So many … The West Wing and I Love Lucy (it is still hilarious)

BONUS QUESTION: What celebrity should play you in a movie about your life?

I wish I were worthy of Meryl Streep, but I’d settle for Laura Linney or Reese Witherspoon.

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