BiblioWorks is founded on the simple principle that literacy and education are critical components for the creation and vitality of sustainable communities and cultures. We believe that where knowledge, literacy, and learning exist, people have the resources they need to solve social issues, maintain and strengthen their cultural identities, as well as to grow their community economically
Not only have we opened and equipped twelve libraries in Morado K’asa, Presto, Patacon, Yamparaéz, Tarabuco, Villa Serrano, Sopachuy, Tomina, Tomoroco, Maragua, Villa Abecia, Pampa Aceituno, Padilla and Barrio Japón, but we are working on making them all self-sustaining. With our team here in Bolivia we have trained hundreds of librarians, teachers, students and other community members in the proper use of a public library.
Our organization is dedicated to improving literacy and opening educational doors so that children and young people will have new opportunities to pursue studies and vocations that will allow them to serve their communities in order to develop strategies to eliminate poverty.
In rural Bolivia the concept of public libraries is relatively new, and most children and young people do not have the vital access to books and information they need to achieve success.
Book Club Coordinators
English Language Teachers
Women’s Literacy Teachers
Volunteer Coordinator
Communication Director
We do not provie meals or accomodations, but we can assist volunteers in finding reasonably priced accommodation in Sucre and in the rural communities where our libraries are located.
We do not charge a fee for volunteers.
Volunteers needed who are keen on creating content for our social media sites to attract potential Volunteers and Donors. Also needed for editing photos and videos for web and blog posts.
Biblioworks relies entirely upon donations and fundraising to keep us running. We ask that volunteers fundraise a donation prior to coming to volunteer. There is no minimum amount as every bit helps!
I am a teacher-librarian and I was able to use my knowledge, skills and love of books as well as gain a wide-range of new knowledge and skills while having incredible experiences and giving my problem-solving skills a workout. I was based in the office in Sucre but traveled to the rural libraries, initially with the library trainers and later independently.
My Spanish was rusty when I arrived but quickly came back to me as all of the office and library staff are Bolivian and speak little to no English. The BiblioWorks staff are very professional and committed to their work. They work collaboratively and I felt privileged to be a part of the team.
My final month of volunteering was April 2016 and it finished with two of BiblioWorks biggest yearly events - “Sucre Lee” (Sucre Reads) and “La Feria de la Lectura” (The Reading Festival). The lead up to these events gave me a chance to experience the highs (and lows) of fundraising first hand as well as take part in press conferences and live radio interviews (in Spanish!).
I will treasure the memories I have made during my time in BiblioWorks and put my newfound skills and knowledge to use in my future work.
I highly recommend volunteering with BiblioWorks if you have a love of books and reading, a reasonable level of Spanish, an open-mind, and a sense of humour! ”