The Library Project Inc

What The Library Project Inc does

The Library Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2006 and headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, with operational offices in Hong Kong and Xi'an, China. Its mission is to improve children's literacy in underserved communities by building libraries, donating books, and training teachers. The organization delivers its work through four core programs: Reading Rooms (full library spaces built in repurposed school rooms), Reading Corners (classroom-based book collections), Book Donations, and Literacy Bags (take-home reading sets), complemented by Teacher Training, Parent & Family Support, and a Remedial Reading Lessons program.

Programs are implemented through a partnership-driven model: the organization works with local nonprofit partners (NGOs/NPOs), schools, and government education departments rather than maintaining its own field offices, which keeps overhead low. It also runs a Global Partnerships initiative that provides free capacity building, mentoring, and a downloadable 151 MB Professional Nonprofit Toolkit (575,000+ downloads) to 15+ literacy-focused NGOs worldwide. Beneficiary scale to date includes 1.5 million+ children reached, 8,000+ libraries established (1,485 Reading Rooms and 6,711 Reading Corners), 2.3 million+ books donated, and 45,000+ teachers trained across 21 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and North America.

The revenue model is donation-based: corporate CSR partnerships (360 corporate partners), foundation grants, individual giving (including the $1/month Book Club subscription), and targeted program sponsorships (e.g., $35/student remedial reading sponsorships). Donations are accepted via the website, PayPal (USD/HKD/EUR), WeChat Pay (via the Ling Shan Charity Foundation in China), and check. Pricing for most programs is quote-based. The organization holds the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency and has been named a GreatNonprofits Top-Rated Nonprofit consecutively from 2018 to 2025.

Name

The Library Project Inc

Legal name

The Library Project

Website

https://library-project.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Library Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2006 that improves children's literacy in underserved communities by building libraries, donating books, and training teachers across 21 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and North America, reaching 1.5 million+ children since inception.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Literacy Programs

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Foundational Reading & Writing Literacy (EDAAAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Literacy & Reading Intervention (Phonics, Fluency, Comprehension) (EDAKADAA), Family Literacy (Parent/Child & Intergenerational) (EDAAAAAE), Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

Keywords

• Children's literacy programs
• School library construction
• Book donation initiatives
• Teacher literacy training
• Nonprofit education services

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. International School Partnerships: International schools engage through student fundraising events, book drives, classroom projects, and library adoptions, connecting students to global service learning while generating program support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Library Project improves children's literacy in underserved communities by building Reading Rooms (full library spaces) and Reading Corners (classroom collections), donating age-appropriate books, distributing take-home Literacy Bags, and delivering teacher training and parent/family support. Programs are delivered free of charge to rural and underserved elementary schools, community centers, and refugee camps in 21 countries, funded by individual donations, corporate CSR partnerships, and foundation grants. The organization also provides free capacity-building resources, including a Professional Nonprofit Toolkit and Literacy Toolkit, to other global literacy nonprofits.

Product overview

The Library Project is a nonprofit organization (not a technology company) that improves children's literacy through a portfolio of physical literacy programs and services. The core offerings include Reading Rooms (full library spaces), Reading Corners (classroom collections), Book Donations, and Literacy Bags (take-home books). These are supported by Teacher Training, Parent & Family Support programs, and Capacity Building services for global literacy organizations. The organization also provides a Free Tools & Resources Toolkit for nonprofit partners and operates The Book Club monthly giving program. All programs are delivered through partnerships with local schools, communities, and nonprofits rather than through a software platform or technology product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Reading Rooms Full library spaces that transform unused school rooms into vibrant, child-friendly libraries filled with age-appropriate books, tables, chairs, and shelving designed for children. Reading Rooms serve entire schools and are delivered free of charge to rural and underserved elementary schools in 21 countries.
• Reading Corners Classroom-based library collections that place books directly into classrooms and community centers, providing students and teachers with easy access to diverse, high-quality titles including STEAM-focused books. Reading Corners complement Reading Rooms or stand alone where space is limited.
• Book Donations Direct donations of new, high-quality books that strengthen existing school libraries by providing fresh, engaging reading materials. Donations support both school libraries and classroom libraries with age-appropriate books selected for curriculum fit and value alignment.
• Literacy Bags Take-home book collections that give individual children their own personal library to take home. Distributed through schools and local partners, these bags help families build a reading culture that continues beyond the classroom.
• Teacher Training Comprehensive training program providing workshops, classroom coaching, and mentoring to build teacher capacity in guided reading, book handling, and creating print-rich environments. Includes refresher sessions, peer learning circles, and monitoring visits; supports rural elementary school teachers and administrators.
• Parent and Family Support Family reading workshops, simple reading guides, and take-home materials that help caregivers in rural communities build confidence in reading with children and create literate home environments. Targets parents and caregivers facing low literacy or limited time.
• Capacity Building for Global Literacy Organizations Free capacity building, mentoring, and practical tools for small and growing literacy organizations worldwide. Includes one-on-one mentoring, proposal guidance, budgeting tools, program templates, reporting support, and access to a global network of literacy-focused organizations. Delivered through The Library Project's Global Partnerships initiative.
• Remedial Reading Lessons Intensive reading support program providing students extra time, guidance, and encouragement to strengthen foundational literacy skills. For $35, one student receives six months of remedial reading support; 100% of participating students have shown improved reading skills.
• Free Tools and Resources Toolkit A growing collection of free, downloadable resources designed to support literacy-focused nonprofit organizations. Includes the 151 MB Professional Nonprofit Toolkit (program budgets, finance dashboards, fundraising pipelines, board governance templates, HR documents) and the Literacy Toolkit (book selection guides, age/stage cheat sheets, the Five Finger Rule, reading guides, pre-assessment instruments). Distributed free to global literacy nonprofits.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% of schools open their libraries daily to weekly
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• JusoorcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2026Jusoor is an NGO supporting refugee communities in Lebanon. The Library Project and Jusoor partner to bring books to refugee communities in Lebanon through book donations and literacy programs serving Lebanese and Syrian youth and adults.
• Friends InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFriends International is a nonprofit organization supporting children facing significant barriers to education in Cambodia. The Library Project partners with Friends International to deliver remedial reading programs and literacy support to marginalized children, including those living/working on streets, young migrants, and children affected by HIV or emergencies. First two Reading Rooms were donated in 2015.
• Imagine1daycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImagine1day is a global nonprofit working to improve education in Ethiopia. The Library Project and Imagine1day partner to support literacy in Ethiopia through book donations, literacy programs, and capacity building for local organizations.
• AUCC (Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAUCC is listed as a global partner supporting The Library Project's programs. Partnership focuses on university and college engagement in global literacy initiatives.
• NalibaliminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNalibali is a South African literacy nonprofit. The Library Project provides capacity building and program support to Nalibali as part of its Global Partnerships initiative in South Africa.
• Non-LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-Library is a global literacy nonprofit partner. The Library Project supports Non-Library through capacity building, mentoring, and access to professional tools and resources.
• Read for GrowthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRead for Growth is a literacy nonprofit partner in The Library Project's Global Partnerships network, receiving capacity building and program support.
• Read NestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRead Nest is a literacy nonprofit partner in The Library Project's Global Partnerships network, receiving capacity building and program support.
• Read to RiseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRead to Rise is a South African literacy nonprofit partnered with The Library Project through the Global Partnerships initiative.
• Readable EnglishminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReadable English is an English literacy nonprofit partner in The Library Project's Global Partnerships network.
• Start A LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStart A Library is a literacy nonprofit partner in The Library Project's Global Partnerships network, receiving capacity building and program support.
• Joy for BooksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoy for Books is a literacy nonprofit partner in The Library Project's Global Partnerships network.
• JiaminiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJiamini is a literacy nonprofit partner in The Library Project's Global Partnerships network, focusing on children's literacy in Africa.
• Ling Shan Charity Foundation (灵山慈善基金会)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ling Shan Charity Foundation is The Library Project's local partner in China, processing WeChat Pay donations and supporting children's literacy programs in China.
• Ling Shan Charity Foundation (WeChat Pay Processing)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProcesses WeChat Pay donations from Chinese donors on behalf of The Library Project, enabling local fundraising for literacy programs in China.
• Wellington College InternationalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWellington College International is an international school partner engaging students in global service learning through The Library Project's school partnership programs.
• Hangzhou International School (HIS)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHangzhou International School supports literacy and STEAM education programs in Henan province, China, through The Library Project's international school partnership program.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Room to Read: Global nonprofit that builds school libraries, publishes local-language children's books, and supports girls' education across Asia and Africa. Closest direct comparable to The Library Project's library-building, book-donation, and literacy-intervention model.
• Pratham: One of the largest NGOs in the literacy space, running foundational reading programs, remedial reading camps, and teacher training across India and parts of Africa. Directly comparable in literacy intervention and teacher-training scope.
• African Library Project: US-based nonprofit that partners with African schools and communities to establish small libraries through book drives and donations. Closely matches TLP's Reading Room/Reading Corner model and rural African footprint.
• Books for Africa: Nonprofit that collects, sorts, and ships donated books to establish or expand libraries across Africa. Comparable in mission (book-driven literacy) and geographic focus on underserved communities.
• Library For All: Nonprofit building low-cost, sustainable libraries in developing countries through local partnerships. Direct comparable in library-building model and partnership-led delivery in underserved geographies.
• Worldreader: Nonprofit delivering digital reading programs via e-readers and mobile in low-income countries, including teacher training and family reading components. Comparable literacy-intervention model with global developing-country reach.

Broad incumbents

• Save the Children: Large international NGO running education, literacy, and child welfare programs across 100+ countries. Overlaps with TLP on children's literacy in underserved regions but as part of a much broader child-focused portfolio.
• UNICEF Education: UN agency delivering education and literacy programming globally, including in many of the same low-income countries TLP serves. Comparable mission but operates at vastly larger scale and with governmental/multi-stakeholder mandates.
• International Literacy Association: Established global professional organization focused on literacy research, standards, and advocacy. Adjacent to TLP's mission but operates as a membership/professional body rather than direct service provider.

Emerging players

• United World Schools: Nonprofit establishing schools and teacher training in remote, underserved communities in Southeast Asia and Africa. Comparable in focus on rural education infrastructure and teacher capacity building in TLP's geographies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/library-project

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Library Project Inc