 |
 |
|
Hermione, Countess of Ranfurly |
Founded in 1954, Book Aid International has been improving access to books and information in the developing world for over 50 years. Our books have changed the lives of millions of people throughout the developing world, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
Book Aid International was founded in 1954 by Lady Hermione Ranfurly, as the Ranfurly Library Service. At the time, her husband was the Governor General of the Bahamas and whilst living there Lady Ranfurly saw first-hand the desperate shortage of books for children there. She motivated friends and contacts in the UK to provide her with surplus books and distributed them to schools and libraries. Lady Ranfurly continued her efforts upon her return to the UK, and by the early 1960s she had gained enough support to expand the scheme to other parts of the developing world, supporting mainly national library services. Over the next 50 years, an amazing 25 million books were provided to schools, universities, and public and community libraries in the developing world.
In recognition of the changing and expanding nature of our work, in 1994 we changed our name to Book Aid International. Our work has increasingly focused on support for libraries of all kinds in sub-Saharan Africa, and in 2007 we decided to concentrate our work in 12 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Over the years we have built up excellent relationships with publishers in the UK which have enabled us to gradually increase the proportion of new books we provide, improving the relevance and durability of those sent. We have also raised money to purchase more locally published books, and in particular those in local languages. Now, nearly every single book we provide is brand new.
Today, we are committed to expanding our work with local partners in sub-Saharan Africa to increase access to books and information by supporting public, community and educational libraries, organisations working in development and human rights, and improvements to the quality of primary education. We have extended our network of local partners in Africa to include local grassroots organisations as well as national library services.
Book Aid International has a long history. We have changed and developed to meet new challenges and we are a leading agency in our field. Books are crucial for quality education, raising literacy, providing information and underpinning development. Working with partners we are increasing access to books through libraries, schools and community organisations. We are campaigning for donors and governments to take up the challenge to create literate societies in which books are widely available and read. Because books change lives.
The Ranfurly Library Service was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee (number 880754, London) on 3 June 1966 and was registered as a charity (number 313869) on 4 July 1966. The company name was changed to Book Aid International on 1 January 1994.