The Information Professional

United by a passion for books and reading, volunteers across the nation have made it possible for the African Library Project to deliver its one millionth book this month.

Founded by a Portola Valley woman in 2005, the nonprofit group was created to increase literacy in a country whose population has the highest percentage of illiteracy in the world.

It was during a family vacation in Lesotho, a small mountainous region in southern Africa, that founder Chris Bradshaw realized establishing libraries could have a profound effect on increasing literacy. She began working closely with local teachers and community leaders, and it expanded from there.

Reaching the one millionth book "is a real statement about the people in this country and just what a generous spirit they have in wanting to help do good in the world and recognizing the importance of literacy for any civilization to progress," Bradshaw said.