Everett W. Charters, director of Books for Asia, said the program began 47 years ago. This program also encourages the free exchange of ideas by supplying materials in all fields of knowledge, thereby strengthening institutional resources for education and research. Countries that benefit from this program are Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Mongolia, Nepal, North Korea, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. More than 86 million books have been distributed to Asian schools, universities, libraries, research centers, and other institutions since the program began. Charters said the books they receive are reviewed before they are packaged are prepared for distribution.
China receives the most books.
Their programs include Books for Bangladesh banks, Asia-Pacific Peace Committee, a Partnership with China and Environmental Resource Center. Books for Asia is The Asia Foundation's longest-running program. The Asia Foundation is a private, nongovernmental organization dedicated to supporting programsthat contribute to a peaceful, generous, and open Asia Pacific community. Stories about Books for Asia's new location also appeared in the May 8 edition of the Singo Tao Daily and the May 9-15 edition of Manila Mail. The Asia Foundation.