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About Books for International Goodwill (BIG)
About Books for International Goodwill (BIG)
For over 30 years, Books for International Goodwill (BIG) has been collecting, sorting, and shipping gently used books to communities across the globe. From rural schools and village libraries to underserved neighborhoods, BIG has placed millions of books into the hands of readers who need them most. Each shipment brings not only pages of knowledge, but hope, opportunity, and connection.
But keeping books alive takes resources. BIG is entirely volunteer-run, and while books are generously donated, the costs of warehousing, sorting, and shipping overseas continue to grow. Our current warehouse is limited, and as demand for books increases, so does the need for expanded space and reliable shipping support.
Your gift helps cover the essential costs that make our mission possible — from maintaining a safe, functional warehouse to putting books on pallets and sending them around the world. With your support, BIG can continue to:
Provide free books to local families, teachers, and nonprofits
Ship containers of books to build schools and libraries abroad
Expand operations to meet rising demand for literacy resources
Together, we can secure the future of BIG — ensuring that the next generation has access to the books that inspire learning, spark curiosity, and open doors.
Every dollar fuels literacy. Every book changes a life.
Learn more at https://big-books.org
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF
GLOBAL LITERACY IMPACT
Since 1995, B.I.G. has processed more than 10 million books, shipping over 6 million to underserved communities in 40+ countries. Originally a one-time effort to support a graduate student returning to South Africa, B.I.G. evolved into a volunteer-powered international force for literacy — and is proudly the signature project of the Parole Rotary Club of Annapolis.
OUR MISSION: To keep books alive by redistributing them to schools, libraries, and literacy programs around the world — providing knowledge, joy, and opportunity where resources are scarce.
OUR VISION: B.I.G. will continue to be the Annapolis-area’s go-to resource for:
Collecting books no longer needed by current owners
Identifying global and domestic recipients with limited access
Sorting and shipping based on specific requests
Hosting regular book sales to fund global shipments
BY THE NUMBERS:
10M+ books processed
6M+ books shipped overseas
400+ shipping containers sent
Book sales held 8–9 times/year at our Annapolis warehouse
100,000 books in inventory at any time
Over 50 regular volunteers support weekly operations
$0.20 per book average shipping cost (vs. industry $0.60–$1.00+)
LITERACY IN ACTION: IMPACT HIGHLIGHTS
B.I.G. books formed the first library in a Kenyan village
Supported English accreditation programs in Congo
Filled Navajo Nation libraries with donated books
Provided classroom libraries for Virginia’s largest Title I middle school
Sparked literacy campaigns in Zimbabwe, Pakistan, and Ghana
Donated books to local prisons and community libraries serving neighborhoods in need
Each shipment is built on collaboration, trust, and sustainability — recipients submit detailed plans and share distribution success stories that prove: books change lives.
30 YEARS OF RESILIENCE & SERVICE B.I.G. has survived six relocations, outgrown every space it’s occupied, and rebuilt more than once — each time with the support of dedicated Rotarians and passionate volunteers. Through COVID, warehouse challenges, and growing global demand, B.I.G. has remained a beacon of hope, powered by book lovers.
Today, we celebrate 30 years of:
Connecting communities across continents
Rescuing books from landfills
Empowering children and adults through reading
Operating entirely on donations, grants, and book sale revenue
THE FUTURE: BUILDING A FOUNDATION With our current lease ending in 2026 and warehouse needs increasing, B.I.G. is actively seeking sustainable funding to secure long-term space. Your support — through sponsorship, donations, or volunteering — helps ensure we continue “Keeping Books Alive” for decades to come.
Visit www.big-books.org to learn more, donate, or volunteer.
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