As an ADVOCATE: Support the cause…
International Book Project envisions a world where every person has access to books. We are a 501(c)(3) organization that develops lasting relationships with partners worldwide to increase literacy, promote cultural understanding, and open doors to opportunity.
The books we ship are individually curated to the requests of our partners and range from a few dozen books to sea containers of 30,000+ books for libraries and schools. In central Kentucky, we provide resources to Habitat for Humanity, Kentucky Refugee Ministries, God’s Pantry, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department, Family Resource Centers, local Prisons, and many others. Since our founding in 1966, International Book Project has shipped close to 8 million books to 168 countries.
Core Values
- Access for All – We are committed to breaking down barriers so that everyone, regardless of geography or circumstance, can share in the gift of knowledge. By giving books a second life – through reuse, redistribution, and reimagined purpose – we extend the reach of learning and ensure that knowledge continues to circulate where it’s needed most.
- Literacy as Empowerment – We believe books are powerful tools that spark learning, expand opportunity, and transform lives.
- Strength in Partnerships – We build lasting connections with donors, volunteers, and domestic and global partners – amplifying impact by carefully curating book shipments to give books a second life.
- Integrity in Action – We hold ourselves accountable to honesty, transparency, and respect in every decision and relationship.
- Commitment to Community – We strengthen communities through programs that ensure our impact is felt close to home as well as around the world.
To promote literacy and increase access to books, International Book Project founded ‘Books in the Bluegrass’ to provide at-home libraries to the families of Habitat for Humanity, Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Lexington Housing Authority, KVC Kentucky, One Parent Scholar House, and many others since 2011. Families from these partners lack access to books, preventing them from attaining the same academic and career success as their more affluent peers. These families also lack access to reliable transportation, time, or financial means to visit traditional libraries, making books in the home that much more important. Studies confirm that people who grow up having books in the home have higher reading comprehension and better mathematical and digital communication skills. Since its inception, Books in the Bluegrass has supplied more than 76,000 books to households throughout the state of Kentucky.
Start supporting International Book Project… by simply getting acquainted here:
https://intlbookproject.org/about/#
As a SHOP: Discover unique gifts…
The International Book Project bookstore is located at our headquarters in Lexington. We have everything from children’s books to current fiction and nonfiction, gardening books to cookbooks, and history books to mystery books. Your donation of $5 for hardback books and $3 for paperbacks by cash or card helps fund our mission of promoting literacy and shipping books to those who do not have access to books!
Support International Book Project… by simply purchasing your specialty merchandise here:
https://intlbookproject.org/home/our-work/bookstore/
Be a Donor: Show that you care…
Donation
International Book Project believes that books change lives. Donations, community partners, and volunteers allow us to continue to pursue our mission of providing books to communities and educators in underserved parts of the world, both domestic and international. All gifts are deeply appreciated. We gladly accept a variety of financial donations including, * Online, In-person, and Mailed Donations * Tribute Gifts * Planned Giving * Stock Donations * Sponsor a Shipment * Kroger Community Rewards, and * Birthday Fundraisers.
International Book Project accepts donated books via in-person drop off. We curate book shipments based on partners’ specific requests – please see our guidelines about currently accepted materials.
Sponsorship
Community sponsors are invaluable to International Book Project. Sponsorships support general operations, programs, shipments, and more! Each year, our community sponsors are showcased in our bookstore, on our website, and on our summer newsletter.
Volunteer
International Book Project is a small organization doing big things! With a staff of four, we depend on the hard work and steadfast commitment of its volunteers. Some of the projects our volunteers get involved in include, sorting books in the warehouse * packing books, and * organizing a book drive or event.
Support International Book Project… by simply giving and volunteering here:
https://intlbookproject.org/support-us/