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Every child deserves to experience the joy and the power of reading

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98

School libraries set up in South Africa since 2010

375,500

Books distributed in South Africa

171

Trained & employed library assistants

98, 000

Number of learners reached for the first time

In South Africa 78% of public schools do not have libraries
Source: Department of Basic Education, National Education Infrastructure Management System (NEIMS) Report, August 2019, available at www.education.gov.za.

What we do

We identify schools that need libraries, and we partner with them to build vibrant and well-stocked libraries for their learners. We seek funding to help cover the costs of setting up the libraries; we stock the libraries with a range of fiction, non-fiction and reference books with help from professional librarians; and we employ trained library assistants to care for and grow the libraries.

Help us put a library in every school in South Africa!

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Aims of the Bookery

Set up school libraries filled with contemporary and diverse content that is local and global, with fiction and non-fiction to inspire young readers of all ages and languages
Recruit, train and support librarians and library assistants to ensure the Bookery’s libraries are vibrant, loved and safe spaces for learners
Partner with the host schools to ensure the sustainability and growth of the Bookery’s libraries
Build local and international partnerships to drive literacy and reading in South Africa, to provide school libraries with books, computers and IT facilities, and to promote innovative uses of school libraries
Achieve a nationwide reach through well managed and anchor-funded growth.

How to get involved

Help us create dynamic libraries that inspire a love of reading, break barriers and inspire lives. Here are some ways for you to make a meaningful impact: