What we do

Through partnerships and collaboration, The Bookery combines infrastructure, book stock, staffing and sustained support to develop active and safe learning spaces.

We identify under-resourced public schools that are ready to host a library and meet our criteria, then partner with them to create vibrant, learner-centred spaces stocked with age appropriate fiction and non-fiction. Each library is set up to serve learners sustainably (we aim to provide at least three books per learner) and is resourced through a mix of donated and purchased titles selected to reflect learners’ needs and interests. Collections are also tailored to the school’s language of instruction and learner profile.

We don’t just create a room filled with books. The Bookery supports the employment and training of passionate library assistants from the local community to manage day-to-day library operations, keep the space open and welcoming, and drive reading programmes. We also provide ongoing professional support through a structured programme and our vibrant Community of Practice, which offers training, quarterly meet-ups and mentorship for library assistants and school librarians. The Community of Practice strengthens skills, encourages peer learning, and creates a space to share successes, challenges and ideas. It is a vital component of our intervention model, helping libraries grow from static “bookrooms” into thriving reading hubs.