How can my community partner with maktaba.org?
Please
reach out and introduce yourself if you would like to start a book drive in your community, use our software at your school, or digitize your community library. We are seeking partnerships with:
Libraries
Book Clubs
Schools and Colleges
Religious Communities (churches, mosques, and temples)
Community Centers
How does it work?
We provide schools, libraries and community organizations with materials and software to start and run your own book drive. Each book is given a QR code sticker and then shipped to Tanzania. As communities and individuals engage with the books, donors receive updates via email and are invited to interact with readers and make new friends around the world.
What is the donation process?
2) Find a great book in your house that you want to share with other readers.
3) Add the book to maktaba.org, and create a custom book page. Import the book details using the ISBN number, edit the book summary and information, and share what you learned or enjoyed to attract more readers to your book. (See our guide How to Add Books on Maktaba.org, coming soon)
4) Print a custom book tag with a unique QR code to track your donation, and attach it to your book.
5) Fundraise $1 per book to cover shipping to Tanzania. When we’ve raised 5,000 books and $5,000, all the books will be shipped to Africa.
6) You’ll get a notification when your book is unwrapped in Arusha and added to the library shelf.
7) When someone checks out your book, adds it to a reading list, or leaves a comment, you’ll receive a fun update letting you know who is enjoying your generously donated book.
8) Discuss the book and make a new friend in Africa by requesting to become pen pals or joining an international reading group.
How do the books get to Africa?
Books are collected by your local participating organization, like your school, church, library, or book club. When your group has gathered 500 books and raised 500 dollars, someone from your organization will ship or drop off the books at your regional collection point, where they will be packed into a shipping container, and exported via the nearest seaport (Los Angeles). From there your books will start the long journey to East Africa. In a few weeks they will be received and cleared in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania by an officer from Elimu Yetu Development Organization. From Dar es Salaam, the container will be transported on a truck to Arusha, where the books will be unloaded and brought to our library in Kijenge or distributed to one of our partner libraries in the region. When your book is unwrapped and added to the library shelf by Elimu Yetu volunteers, you’ll receive a notification and a picture.
Which countries/cities/schools receive books?
Currently we are piloting the program at Elimu Yetu Library in Arusha, Tanzania. If we are able to collect sufficient book donations and sponsorships we plan to expand the program to other schools around Tanzania, and eventually other countries in East Africa.
Is there a cost to the program?
There is no cost to start a book drive. We ask that you contribute at least $1 for each book you donate to help cover the costs of shipping your books to Tanzania. We hope you will consider giving more to help us maintain, staff and develop local libraries in Africa.