Our Mission Statement

The purpose of Libraries of Love is to promote literacy in Africa by partnering with Africans to create libraries in individual schools, provide financial support to assist in the educational development of individuals, and address humanitarian needs in Africa.

Helping create a reading culture in Uganda and Kenya.

Feb. 6, 2024 – Our shipment has left Austin. The container will be placed on a ship, and our executive director will meet it in Uganda in about two months. Included is about 12,000 hardback books that have Dewey spine labels plus pockets and cards for borrowing for our libraries. There are 40 extra boxes of books that are donations that will be given but are not for libraries. Cheers to Jim Matthews for arranging shipping! As you can see, he’s excited about the departure.

Two new school libraries now brings our total to 55 libraries: 46 in Ugandan schools; 3 in prisons, and 6 in Kenyan schools. We never leave these libraries. They are constantly checked on, and training is continual for our librarians. Librarian meetings were held this year in Kampala and Mbale Uganda, plus Ngong, Kenya. There is always teaching, learning, and singing. Our librarians are a family.

We have 60 sponsored students of which 15 are in college. We have 13 university graduates.

More about 2023 Projects.

April 12, 2024 – Today we had our first Dell group of the year preparing books for the 2025 shipment. Many thanks to Lauren Franchione for getting her group together from Dell CSG FMM and getting us started with 11 boxes. Pictured are Lauren, James Cochran and Matt Teeter.
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One of Libraries of Love’s 52 beautiful school libraries! We believe the African child deserves libraries equal to American young people. There are 46 school libraries in Uganda and 6 in Kenya. In addition, we have 3 prison libraries in Uganda.

Students crowd the library and hold their books high to show what they are reading.

Many thanks to supporters Lynne and Anne Dobson for their firm faith in our mission and for funding this wonderful video showing Libraries of Love’s work in Uganda. The video was produced by Micah DeKorne, Co-Founder + Creative Director | DESIGNED4.

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Our Libraries

Libraries of Love was started in 2005. We now have 46 school libraries in Uganda, 6 in Kenya and 3 prison libraries. We provide each school with books equal to three times its number of students. We also provide book shelving, painting and new ceilings if needed, plus sheer curtains to keep the dirt out, but let light in. Librarian training is constant.

2023 – 19 libraries restocked; 2 new libraries

Sponsored Students

Libraries of Love also has a sponsored student program. Thirteen sponsored students are now university graduates. These students are employed as nurses, bankers, an attorney, procurement arranging safaris, as well as local travel, hotel management, chefs, and civil engineering. Currently, 60 students have sponsors. Ten of these are in college.

2022 Sponsored Students
College Graduates
College Students

Humanitarian Aid

A special part of Libraries of Love is the humanitarian work. Often medical needs are met, uniforms and shoes are provided at schools for those who are the neediest, and food is provided for families that are without. Each time a need is identified, supporters come to our aid and provide funds. We are grateful.

2022 – Humanitarian Aid

Our History

We just completed our 18th year of providing libraries to schools in Uganda and Kenya, but it all started with a simple request by our world-traveling executive director to her former pastor. The result led to books that would build bridges for African students, sponsorships that would see some all the way through college, and humanitarian assistance that changed the lives of many.

How We Started