Literacy Non-Profit Advances its 15th Anniversary Project on 3 Continents in June 2025
 Curated Book Collections To Be Installed in Europe, Asia and Africa             

June 3, 2025 — Judith’s Reading Room, the global literacy nonprofit organization based in eastern Pennsylvania, continued its “15 Libraries to Celebrate its 15th Anniversary in 2025” library installations on three continents.  A Scottish non-profit and two primary schools in Nepal and South Africa will receive curated book collections hand-picked to inspire a love of reading and to allow a culture of reading to catapult children and adults alike into a lifetime relationship with literature.

In just the month of June,  Judith’s Reading Room book donations will impact the lives of  1,378 children who otherwise would not have books.  “These aren’t just any books, they are brand-new, specifically selected books for the exact audience served by our partner organizations,” said Cathy Leiber, President & Co-Founder, Judith’s Reading  Room.

Today, a curated collection of 52 graphic novels and global best-selling novels was dedicated in Scotland at Heavy Sound, the Scottish nonprofit located near Edinburgh in the village of Cockenzie that serves 80 children and youth.  Heavy Sound works with some of Scotland’s most vulnerable and disconnected teens with poor to no literacy.  The collection adds to Judith’s Reading Room’s 107th library installed in August 2024 and brings to a total 226 books donated.

Partnering with the Jane Goodall Institute Nepal (JGIN), Judith’s Reading Room will establish its 112th library in its 26th country on June 20th.  A donation of 578 extensively researched children’s books will be installed at the Janata Adharbhut Vidhyalaya School an 8-hour drive from Kathmanadu near Nepal’s border with India.  Until the last two to three generations, Nepal has been predominately an oral culture.   Judith’s Reading  Room will be the school’s first library and will serve 398 students in grades 4-10.

Rounding out the month, 900 students ages 5-13 at the Vhulakanjhani Primary School in Limpopo Province, South Africa will receive a new library when Judith’s Reading Room dedicates its 113th library in its 27th country.  Partnering with the Bloom family of New York City, the organization was asked to provide early literacy and picture books for students who start learning English in the 3rd grade.  The Bloom’s will hand-carry the books to South Africa for the June 25th library dedication.

 “15 Libraries to Celebrate 15th Anniversary in 2025” — Dedication Dates

1. Bright School/TEACH Rwanda, Muhanga, Rwanda — January 7
2. Escuela ‘Agustin Flores Contreras,’ Puerto Vallarta, Mexico — January 15
3. Read for Literacy, “Real Men READ-y,” Toledo, Ohio — February 3
4. Avery Chapel AME Church, Southaven, Mississippi — February 15
5. Watch Me Grow Learning Academy, Grenada, Mississippi  — February 15
6. Mosaic Preparatory Academy, East Harlem, New York — March 14
7. Louisiana Methodist Children & Family Services, Ruston, Louisiana — April 1
8. Washington Co. Residential Center’s ‘Harkins House,’ Portland, Oregon — April 4
9. Heavy Sound, Edinburgh, Scotland — June 3
10. Janata Adharbhut Vidhyalaya School, Kathmandu, Nepal — June 20
11. Vhulakanjhani Primary School, South Africa — June 25
12. James Prendergast Free Library, Jamestown, New York — July 31
13. Abundant Life Academy, Nutley, New Jersey — September 12
14. Kirioruwa School, Marabedda, Bandarawela, Sri Lanka — September (TBA)
15. Chinle Planting Hope, Navajo Nation, Chinle, Arizona — November 1

Judith’s Reading Room was founded in 2010 in the memory of Judith F. Krug, distinguished librarian and first cousin to the founders.  Judy served as Director, Office for Intellectual Freedom at the American Library Association for 40 years.

Judith’s Reading Room’s mission is to enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy.  To learn more about Judith’s Reading Room, its libraries and awards, please visit www.judithsreadingroom.org.

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