Useful Organisations No.28

Book Aid International (BAI)

39-41 Coldharbour Lane, London SE5 9NR

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7733 3577

Fax: +44 (0) 20 7978 8006

Email: richard.leggatt@bookaid.org

Website: www.bookaid.org.

(Registered charity no. 313869)

Book Aid International (BAI) is the major UK support for libraries in sub-Saharan Africa. It is a cost effective agency that believes in people’s potential for self-development, change and transformation through education and learning – and that the development of human capacity is essential for escaping poverty. The shortage of books and information presents an urgent need. This is where BAI comes in. The charity works to support libraries and schools in around 40 developing countries, and makes over 750,000 up-to-date and relevant books available to its network of partner libraries each year to meet the needs of poor and disadvantaged communities. The organisation sets a high priority on supporting the development of the local book trade in the longer term, and also works to influence key players in the UK and internationally to give greater recognition to the essential role that libraries have to play in development.