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The Inspiring Readers programme, designed and implemented by Book Aid International, aimed to contribute to educational provision in African primary schools by setting up cupboard libraries and promoting reading, through a collaboration between schools and libraries. Public librarians were trained in how to equip teachers with the skills to run school libraries and offered ongoing support to schools. This afforded primary school children the opportunity to develop an interest in and habit of reading, through regular access to child-friendly, age-appropriate fiction and non-fiction books. Publisher-donated brand-new books were a vital part of this programme, with 372,473 UK publisher-donated books donated in total. As a result of the books, children have developed positive attitudes towards reading and have shown increased self-esteem and confidence as a result. Vibrant school libraries have increased the profile of the schools within their communities and teachers have benefited from the enhanced teaching aids available to them. Librarians' knowledge and skills have grown and, as a result, positive working relationships between librarians and teachers have begun. Librarians are also more visible within their communities and feel more respected. Within wider communities, there has been support for Inspiring Readers with parents borrowing books to read at home with their children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]