What is IBP and How Can I Help?
The International Book Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization the promotes literacy, education and global friendships by sending over 150,000 books annually to schools, libraries, churches, community organizations and Peace Corps Volunteers throughout the developing world and in the United States.
Here are some ways you can help IBP with its book-sending mission:
Sponsor a small shipment: Visit our online donation page and sponsor a small shipment of books overseas for $200.00. There are often matching grants available to send small shipments for $100.00.
Donate
your quality used books: Send your quality used books to our warehouse at 1440 Delaware Avenue, Lexington KY 40505. You can send books for cheaper with the Media Mail option via USPS. We are always especially in need of children's books, dictionaries, books in Spanish and French, and books on learning English. Check out our "donate books" page to learn more.
Shop our used bookstore: If you live the Lexington, Kentucky area, where our warehouse is located, then stop by our used bookstore from 9-5 Monday-Friday to browse through Lexington's cheapest high-quality used books. All funds raised from the bookstore help cover the cost of shipping books overseas. The newly renovated and climate-controlled bookstore will re-open in the beginning of February. Watch our Facebook page for updates about the exact date of the reopening, or call us at 859-254-6771.
Add Us on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest news about what's happening at IBP!
 A Night at the Theatre!
IBP will again be partnering with the wonderful Balagula Theatre Company in Lexington, Kentucky for a production of Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451.
The play will take place at Natasha's Bistro and Bar in downtown Lexington Jan 29-Feb 1 and Feb 5-Feb 8. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. All shows begin at 8pm. A significant portion of the ticket sales will go to IBP on Sunday February 5th. So come see an amazing play and help support our book-sending mission at the same time!
Reservations must be made in advance on www.beetnik.com or by calling Natasha's Bistro and Bar at 859-259-2754. While you can make your reservations at 7:30 to just see the show, we highly encourage you to make reservations for earlier so you can enjoy a delicious meal!
A Letter From the New Executive Director
 Dear Friends and IBP Supporters,
As the new Executive Director, I am honored to lead the International Book Project and build on the tremendous foundation laid over the past 45 years. This is an exciting time with many positive improvements underway, and I am writing to both introduce myself and to thank you for your continued support to keep our momentum going strong.
My drive to lead the International Book Project stems from my experiences abroad related to our work. In September of last year, I was part of a Kentucky-Ecuador Partners project (sponsored by Partners of the Americas) where I traveled to Ecuador to facilitate training for teachers in rural communities. During that trip, I visited several Books as Bridges and IBP partner classrooms, where I saw stacks of books that were gently tattered on the edges from frequent usage. I was moved to witness several children’s faces light up in excitement when they were called upon to read aloud from an IBP-donated book. Then in March of this year, I had the opportunity to accompany former IBP Director Rachel Lewis on an evaluation trip to Ghana. As we assessed each school’s situation, need, and use of books, we were also delighted to spend time with the students. They were hungry for reading material – for their education, but also for fun. On one particular occasion, I remember students sitting in a library reading about monster trucks, world records, and mystery tales.
In both cases I wondered, “Without our books, what would these students be doing?”
I was overwhelmed both with pride for our work and an energy to do more. I know you share some of these same sentiments with me, and I want to say thank you. Your investment in this mission has enabled teachers and leaders to instill a love of learning in the lives of so many students throughout the world. Together, we have sent millions of books and instilled life-long learning habits in children who may have otherwise been overlooked. We have grown to serve our local community as well, partnering with Habitat for Humanity, Teach for America, and community organizations in Eastern Kentucky.
So now what?
We will continue to grow the International Book Project to serve those who are hungry to learn and lack suitable resources. We will develop our partnerships with overseas recipients to enable them to provide their communities with proper, sustainable educational supplies. We will work to meet the needs of those in our own community, and be a source of cultural awareness throughout Kentucky and beyond.
I look forward to serving with you, and would love to hear from you as we continue to move forward.
As always, thank you for your support.
Tracy Taylor
Executive Director
director@intlbookproject.org
Read IBP's Fall 2011 Newsletter!
 Check out IBP's Fall 2011 edition of Books Abroad to find out more about IBP's latest projects! View pictures from IBP Volunteer Jo Priddy's trip to Guatemala to donate books. Also, learn about how IBP is changing lives here in the U.S. through our Local Donations program.
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