With 80% of South African schools lacking functional libraries, The Bookery is building spaces of hope, one school at a time. Discover how you can be part of this inspiring story.
Cape Town, South Africa (23 May 2025) – In the heart of Cape Town, a small but mighty organisation is on a mission to transform young lives, one library at a time. Since 2010, The Bookery has worked to address a shocking reality: nearly 80% of South African schools do not have access to a functional library.
For the team behind this dynamic non-profit, books are more than just pages and print; they are passports to possibility. And every child, no matter their postcode, deserves the chance to explore the world through reading.
The Bookery has already established 99 libraries across the country, reaching more than 95,000 children and distributing over 375,500 books. But their work doesn’t stop at setting up shelves. Every library created is a vibrant learning hub, run by a trained librarian (often from the local community), stocked with carefully selected books, and supported by ongoing mentorship.
“It is important to us that we partner with schools that show a keen interest in stewarding the investment well. We work closely with the principal and educators to ensure that they are dedicated to running a functional library at their school. We have been fortunate to work with committed staff who have devoted much time to building and sustaining functional libraries”
How it works:
- Enter a partnership with a school that meets our criteria for creating a library there
- Establish a MoA that sustains the investment
- Stock the library with quality and relevant fiction and non-fiction, with a minimum supply of three books per learner
- Establish a vibrant library space where classes can meet for library periods and conduct research in different learning areas.
- Train a previously unemployed/suitable person from the surrounding community to assume the position of librarian
- Work closely with literacy experts to promote reading and literacy programmes in the library.
- Provide mentorship and ongoing support to the school librarians in our network
From the Cape Flats to the Eastern Cape, these spaces are helping to foster a love of reading, improve literacy rates, and create safe spaces for study and curiosity in under-resourced schools.
What makes The Bookery stand out is its sustainable model. The organisation works hand-in-hand with schools, educators, and community members to ensure each library is not only built but supported in the long term. Whether it’s funding a new library, backing the librarian training programme, or volunteering your time to help prepare books for eager young readers, there are many ways to get involved. When you support The Bookery, you’re not just building a library; you’re helping to build a future where every South African child can dream, discover, and thrive.
If you would like to get involved or know of a school in need, you can email here or visit the website to chat with the team.
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