Founded on the belief that improved access to educational resources creates lasting social change in developing communities, READ partners with rural villages to build Community Library and Resource Centers (READ Centers).

[1] READ Centers offer a variety of programs – from literacy and women's empowerment to information communications technology (ICT) and livelihood skills training.

[2] Antonia "Toni" Neubauer founded READ in 1991 as the non-profit arm of her adventure travel company, Myths & Mountains,[3] after being inspired by the simple wish of her Nepalese trekking companion: to have a library in his village.

[4] In 2006, READ Nepal won the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Access to Learning Award[5] for its innovative approach to building and sustaining community libraries.

Sustaining enterprises range from simple storefront rentals to sewing and apparel centers, ambulance services, and community radio stations.