Smith School of Business donates eight libraries through Shanghai fundraiser
Washington Business Journal
December 29, 2007

WHO’S GIVING: University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. W.R. Grace, Black & Decker and Under Armour

WHO’S RECEIVING: The Library Project, a nonprofit organization that donated books and libraries to underfinanced schools and orphanages in China

WHAT’S BEEN GIVEN: $6,000 to build eight libraries in China

BACKGROUND: The money raised at the Smith School’s Team Maryland Thanksgiving Charity Fundraising Dinner in Shanghai will help build eight libraries in China. Nearly 150 people attended the fundraising dinner Nov. 24. Corporate sponsors – many of them Maryland-based companies such as Black & Decker and Under Armour – provided cash gifts and products for auction. Through donations and ticket sales, sponsors and participants ensured that the event drew funds equal to the amount needed to construct eight libraries. The following day Team Maryland, which consisted of 70 alumni and students, ran in the fundraiser. Donations will go toward books, furniture, supplies and librarian training at schools in Anhui Province, Maryland’s sister state in China. The Library Project has a goal to construct and equip more than 80 libraries for orphanages and elementary schools in rural China by 2008 and 350 libraries by 2010.

A FEW WIRDS FROM THE SPONSOR: “Business leaders need to be socially responsible leaders,” says Howard Frank, dean of the Robert H. Smith School of Business. “The Smith School is committed to providing opportunities for students to have an impact on the environment and humanity as well as to share resources that have a positive impact on China and China’s development.”

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ABOUT THE LIBRARY PROJECT

The Library Project donates books and libraries to under financed schools and orphanages in China. They believe education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty that exists in the developing world. As they see it, education is change. The Library Project accomplishes this by; getting the local community involved through book drives and awareness raising, providing libraries to under financed orphanages and elementary schools, and partnering with local NGOs (charities) and companies.

The Library Project has some amazing yet attainable goals: by the end of 2008 they will have donated over 80 libraries to orphanages and countryside elementary schools in China. The number of libraries will more than double by the end of 2009. Projecting further into the future, they hope to provide 350 libraries by the end of 2010. Their goal is to develop The Library Project into an organization that helps empower millions of children every year through the gift of education. This goal will take an enormous amount of dedication, planning, and hard work. They need your help.

To get involved, please check out their website at www.library-project.org.

If you have any questions, please contact Thomas Stader, The Library Project's Founder, at: tom@library-project.org.