Eight hundred and fifty-five million people in the world are illiterate, according to a report from the United Nations’ Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Room to Read, an organization dedicated to decreasing this number, has developed a campus program to provide textbooks for the Sri Lanka public schools after the tsunami.

Donation boxes will be set up during finals week for used textbooks. The boxes will be located in all the residence halls, the Student Center and the library.

“Illiteracy is coordinated with prosperity and excellence,” said Adam Herrington, a member of the Room to Read organization. “It makes sense to try to improve literacy. Why not help?”

Before the tsunami, Room to Read’s focus was in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

“Since the tsunami hit, we’ve already contributed to six-and-a-half public schools’ reconstruction in Sri Lanka,” Herrington said.

Any books are appreciated. Contact Herrington at [email protected] with any questions. Visit the Web site www.roomtoread.org for more information.

— Alison Turner