Desc: Harriet Van Meter: A Life Extraordinary: Directed by Kiley Lane Parker, Arthur Rouse. With Linda Ellerbee. After observing lines of people in India, waiting for the chance to read a book, Harriet Van Meter began collecting, packing and shipping books to those who requested them from around the world. Working our of her basement, she started the International Book Project, a volunteer organization, which today has shipped more than 5 million books worldwide.