Our mission
Millions of people live without books. Every reader on Shelf changes that a little: about five new books a year, sent through Book Aid International to libraries where there were none.
“Books are powerful. Books transform how people see themselves and the world around them. But millions of people live without books. We're here to change that.”
What your subscription does
10%
of every subscription, every month. About $1.20 from each reader.
£2
sends one brand-new book. That's Book Aid International's number, not ours.
5
books a year, per subscriber, on a shelf that used to be empty.
Where the books go
Since 1954, Book Aid International has shared the power of books with people who would otherwise go without. Every year they send over a million brand-new books, donated by publishers, to libraries where books are scarce: community libraries, and libraries in prisons, refugee camps, hospitals, schools and universities, most of them across Africa. The libraries choose the books they need.
We chose them because they reach adults as well as children, because the books are new and wanted, and because £2 for a book in someone's hands is the most concrete promise we could find.
Visit bookaid.org ↗Keeping it honest
It starts with billing.
Shelf is in beta and nobody is charged yet. From the first paid month, 10% of every subscription goes to Book Aid International.
Counted here.
Once the first donation goes out, this page shows the running total, in pounds and in books, updated monthly.
Nothing comes back.
No affiliate cut, no sponsorship, no logo deal. Shelf donates. That's the whole arrangement.