To celebrate UNESCO’s International Literacy Day, Acer Headquarters launched the Turning Books into Hope for Rural Classrooms initiative in September 2025. By combining the principles of reading equity and the circular economy, the initiative addresses both the educational resource gap between urban and rural communities and the need for more sustainable use of resources. Acer believes that reading is not only the starting point of learning, but also a critical foundation for developing comprehension, critical thinking, and information literacy skills, which are increasingly essential in a rapidly changing world.

The initiative was rolled out simultaneously at Acer Headquarters in Xizhi, Taiwan and several Acer Group sites nearby in Nangang, inviting employees to take part through a series of interrelated activities. It began with a sustainability-themed talk featuring a local bookstore named Green Bookstore, which shared how reading culture can connect with resource circulation and community action, offering employees a fresh perspective on the value of reading. This was followed by an eight-day second-hand book donation drive, during which employees enthusiastically contributed well-kept books from their homes. A book-exchange corner was also set up in the office, allowing for reading culture to naturally flow into daily workspaces. To further encourage engagement, the team designed bookmarks on which colleagues could write recommendations or short notes, creating a simple way to share reading experiences.

To ensure that donated books truly meet classroom needs, Acer teamed up with sustainability partner SPBook, a second-hand bookstore, to implement a structured resource-conversion mechanism. After volunteers carefully inspected, sorted, and organized each donated book, the books were converted into reading credits and provided to partner rural schools in Hsinchu and Taitung. This allowed teachers and students to independently select books appropriate to their age groups and learning needs. By addressing the long-standing challenge of “donating what is available rather than what is needed,” the model ensures that resources are translated into meaningful educational support.

The initiative received an enthusiastic response, with more than 100 employees contributing approximately 1,300 books within just eight days, supported by 35 volunteers who completed the sorting and delivery process. By extending the life cycle of these books, Acer not only reduced unnecessary resource waste but also provided rural classrooms with more relevant and accessible reading materials. This story—woven together by books—demonstrates how Acer leverages simple, replicable internal participation models to connect employees, educational support, and circular-economy principles, building the momentum of positive change toward a more equitable and sustainable society.