The WBFN Book Project was founded in 1982 by spouses of World Bank staff members to assist teachers and students in poor rural schools. The founders’ original idea was to provide books to the most disadvantaged and those who would have no other access to books. In the beginning, the volunteers gathered books and then either funded the shipping themselves, or begged donations from their families and friends. During this time, all the sorting and packing of the books was done in members’ homes. In July 1983, the Book Project was incorporated in the District of Columbia as a tax-exempt organization with a Board of Directors. Over time, the World Bank has recognized the value of this work and now funds the Book Project’s operation. Since 1994, the Civic Program of the IMF has provided a generous grant every year towards the purchase of new reference books. Today, book donations come from the local school systems, libraries, community colleges and from individuals. We are also very grateful for the support of publishers such as Oxford University Press and Houghton Mifflin. The World Bank provides office supplies and equipment, the office and packing room space, the warehouse facilities, the services of the movers and the shipping budget. All the administrative and packing work is done by volunteers.
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