The hope of selling an alarm system or pest control didn't bring John S. Keller (BA '05) to knock on doors while at BYU; surprisingly he went in search of used books. Just before graduating with a degree in international studies, Keller became increasingly interested in promoting global literacy, which led to the founding of the Worldwide Book Drive in October 2005. Keller along with co-founder and former classmate David D. Kasteler (BA '05) began collecting books in anyway possible, including hosting neighborhood book drives, involving local libraries and charities and even going door to door.

A combination of events spurred Keller's interest in starting the Worldwide Book Drive, including his participation in several humanitarian projects. "So often there are giant rifts between helping people and businesses. You can either be involved in international social work or be a businessman," Keller says. "We were interested from the beginning in a venture that could improve the world, while creating jobs and a profit."

The Worldwide Book Drive has become partners several groups including ABC4 and the Eagle Condor Humanitarian Foundation. Through these and other associations the Worldwide Book Drive has been able to help fill libraries in Peru, donate books to Florida victims living in the FEMA trailers as well as provide juvenile novels and children's books to underprivileged children in Utah.

"We want people to know that we'll take care of their books. We'll sort through them and either recycle them, resell them or donate them," Keller says. "It's a win-win situation."

The World Wide Book Drive receives approximately 1000 books a day. This year 90 thousand books have been shipped to Africa and the group has recycled approximately 125 thousand pounds of books that were unusable.

For more information visit their website at www.worldwidebooks.org or call (801) 427-0800. Currently books can be donated at their warehouse in Orem, Utah.