AsiaPay Grant Provides Reading Room and Reading Corners to Shaanxi Elementary School
On September 19, 2025, The Library Project, with support from AsiaPay, donated one Reading Room and two Reading Corners to a rural elementary school in Shaanxi, China. This initiative directly benefits 133 students by providing a dedicated library for the whole school, along with classroom libraries designed to meet the specific needs of individual grades. Nine AsiaPay volunteers traveled from the Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Shanghai offices to participate in the donation celebration, working alongside students and teachers to introduce the new libraries.
AsiaPay has been a committed partner of The Library Project since 2016, supporting children’s literacy through annual financial contributions. Their long-term partnership demonstrates a shared dedication to creating meaningful educational opportunities for children in underserved communities across China.
The new Reading Room will serve the entire school, transforming an empty room into a fully functional library space. Reading Rooms are designed to provide thousands of age-appropriate books, colorful bookshelves, tables, and chairs, creating an inviting environment for reading and learning. These spaces support both independent and group reading, encouraging intellectual curiosity and fostering a lifelong love of books. More information about this program can be found on our Reading Room page.
In addition to the Reading Room, two Reading Corners were installed in the 2nd and 6th-grade classrooms. Guided by the assessment of The Library Project’s Pre-Assessment Specialist, these grades were identified as benefiting most from classroom libraries. Reading Corners bring a curated collection of STEAM-focused books directly into the classroom, giving students and teachers immediate access to resources that support lesson plans, independent study, and daily reading habits. Learn more on our Reading Corner page.
To ensure sustainability, all teachers at the school will take part in a one-year teacher training program. Training equips educators with strategies to integrate both the Reading Room and Reading Corners into daily instruction. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation will also measure library use and educational outcomes, ensuring the long-term impact of the donation.
Book selection for each library is guided by The Library Project’s Book Content Core Values. These values emphasize STEAM education, inclusion and diversity, environmental protection, girls’ education, promoting world peace, and nurturing the heart and mind. By aligning with these principles, children not only improve their literacy skills but also engage with themes that broaden perspectives and inspire empathy.
“We are grateful for AsiaPay’s continued support of children’s literacy,” said Tom Stader, Executive Director & Founder of The Library Project. “Their long-term partnership and the active involvement of their volunteers make a lasting difference for students and teachers in rural schools.”
The Library Project remains dedicated to improving literacy in underserved communities. With the support of partners like AsiaPay, we can provide more students with the tools and resources they need to learn, grow, and succeed.
About The Library Project
The Library Project is dedicated to improving rural education in China and worldwide by providing children with access to libraries, literacy programs, and teacher training. Since 2006, they have benefited over a million children and teachers through more than 3,000 library donations. Their programs include Reading Rooms, Reading Corners, and Children’s Literacy Bags, all designed to create educational spaces where children can learn and grow. The Library Project is committed to measurable impact and continuous support for rural elementary schools, kindergartens, orphanages, community centers, and the home. For more information, visit www.library-project.org.
