This is Biblionef

Biblionef is a foundation that believes in the power and pleasure of reading! That is why we stimulate the pleasure of reading among children all over the world. We do this together with an international network of 4 independently operating organisations with the same name and objectives. Biblionef is established in France, Ghana, South Africa and the Netherlands. In Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao (the Netherlands Antilles) Biblionef has very committed volunteers. Biblionef Netherlands started in 1991 by donating books to the first schools. Since then, we have distributed almost 1.2 million books worldwide! 

Biblionef is an NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation) that meets the reading needs of children aged 3 to 18 by giving them access to new, attractive books appropriate to their age, reading level and world of experience. Children’s books from around the world are sought to ensure that donated books are interesting, culturally relevant and inclusive. Books that meet the reading needs of the children themselves, with language that makes children happy and enthusiastic. Biblionef works closely with under-resourced schools and local libraries that do not have enough resources to purchase new books. Teachers and community librarians are supported in setting up or improving their own libraries and organising reading sessions. In addition, for several years Biblionef has focused on training local teachers to ensure that the teaching materials are appropriately used. 

Origin 

Biblionef was set up in the 1980s. The then ambassador of the Netherlands to Suriname, Max Vegelin van Claerbergen, was struck by the large number of children who had no access to books. Many of these children could not even read at all. He himself was an avid reader. So, he made a decision to help children discover books and enjoyment from reading. To do this, he founded the Biblionef Foundation in 1989. The name was also quickly decided: BIBLIO means ‘book’: the source of knowledge and self-development. NEF means ‘ship’: a link between the continents, symbol of adventure, and the means of transport for our books. 

Focus Countries 

Biblionef Netherlands determines every five years which countries are the focus countries, so that all resources are deployed in the best possible way. When redefining the focus countries, they are not necessarily different countries from the ones in the previous five years. 

For the next five years, the focus countries are: Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, St. Maarten, Saba, St. Eustatius, Suriname, Uganda, Ghana, Gambia, South Africa and the Netherlands. Where opportunities arise that – without detracting from ongoing projects – offer reading pleasure to children, they are always looked on sympathetically. Consider, for example, acute situations such as a call for help from Ukraine or opportunities in Tanzania and Kenya at the request of a regular partner.