From two libraries to a global organization for children’s literacy.

The Library Project began in 2006 with a simple goal: to create two libraries for children in need. What started as a small volunteer effort has grown into a global literacy organization that donates books, builds libraries, trains teachers, supports families, and partners with local nonprofits to bring reading opportunities to children around the world.

In the beginning, The Library Project was just an idea shared by a small group of friends who wanted to make a practical difference. That idea took shape in Dalian, China, where two libraries were created for children living in an orphanage and shelter. With donated books, fundraising support from friends and family, and a belief that children deserve spaces filled with learning and possibility, those first libraries became the foundation for everything that followed.

The Library Project began in 2006 with a simple goal: to create two libraries for children in need. What started as a small volunteer effort has grown into a global literacy organization that donates books, builds libraries, trains teachers, supports families, and partners with local nonprofits to bring reading opportunities to children around the world.

In the beginning, The Library Project was just an idea shared by a small group of friends who wanted to make a practical difference. That idea took shape in Dalian, China, where two libraries were created for children living in an orphanage and shelter. With donated books, fundraising support from friends and family, and a belief that children deserve spaces filled with learning and possibility, those first libraries became the foundation for everything that followed.

What happened next was bigger than anyone expected. Support came quickly, and it became clear that access to books was a challenge in many communities. As The Library Project grew, so did its understanding of what children, teachers, and schools truly needed. A library could not simply be a room with books on shelves. It needed to be welcoming, relevant, well managed, and integrated into a child’s daily learning experience.

That belief helped shape The Library Project’s approach. Over time, the organization expanded beyond traditional library donations to include Reading Rooms, Reading Corners, Children’s Literacy Bags, teacher training, and support for families and caregivers. Each program was built around a simple idea: children are more likely to read when they have access to quality books, encouragement from adults, and spaces that make reading feel engaging and meaningful.

For many years, The Library Project’s work was closely associated with China, where it built a strong track record supporting rural schools and underserved communities. That work remains an important part of the organization’s history and identity. It helped refine the programs, build long-term relationships, and demonstrate that practical, well-designed literacy interventions can create real results for children.

As the organization matured, so did its vision. The Library Project is no longer focused on just one country. Today, it operates in multiple countries and partners with local nonprofit organizations to support literacy programs in the communities it knows best. This global partnership model allows The Library Project to support children in diverse settings while staying grounded in local knowledge, local language, and local leadership.

This evolution reflects one of the most important lessons in The Library Project’s story: lasting impact is strongest when it is built with communities, not simply delivered to them. By working with local partners, schools, teachers, and families, The Library Project helps create programs that are practical, scalable, and rooted in children’s needs.

Since 2006, The Library Project has grown from two small libraries into an organization that has helped bring books and literacy support to over a million children. Along the way, it has remained committed to a clear mission: improving children’s literacy by increasing access to books, supporting educators, and helping communities create stronger reading cultures.

At its heart, The Library Project is still driven by the same spirit that launched those first two libraries. It is the belief that books matter, that literacy changes lives, and that every child deserves the opportunity to read, learn, and imagine a better future.

Our story is still being written. With every new library, every donated book, every trained teacher, and every new partnership, The Library Project continues to grow its impact and extend its mission to more children around the world.