June 18, 2018
One of the most significant ways to improve reading skills in children is to increase their access to books. Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that inspires a love of reading, builds community, and sparks creativity by fostering free neighborhood book exchanges around the world. Their motto is “Take a book. Share a book.”
Little Free Libraries play an essential role in improving literacy by providing access to books and encouraging a love of reading. This grassroots movement has continued to grow since its founding in 2009, and now boasts more than 70,000 libraries in 85 countries, with millions of books exchanged annually.
Anyone can be a steward of a Little Free Library. There are an abundances of resources available to get started, including building instructions, access to free or discounted books, and an online store that offers Library kits and pre-built Library models.
My Lakehill Community Connections campers became Little Free Library stewards in 2013. Students in Lakehill’s woodworking summer camp (taught by my husband Johan) built our libraries, and one of my amazing campers, Kate Langley, painted them for us. (I can’t believe that Kate will be a senior in high school next year, and will be my student intern!) We set up our first Library at the back of Lakehill’s Main Campus, on Westlake Avenue. Shortly after, we added a second Little Free Library at our Roger L. Perry Campus on Ferguson Road.
Over the years, we have sourced books for our Little Free Libraries through on-campus book drives and donations. In summer, when kids are out of school, it is especially important to make sure they have access to a variety of books. This week, for my 25th week of service, I went through my bookshelves at home and collected dozens of books to add to our Little Free Library. I spent some time organizing and cleaning the Library and made sure it was well stocked.
Both of our Little Free Libraries at Lakehill are located outside in the elements, and the weather has definitely taken its toll. As a follow-up project, I plan to do a bit of sanding and get a fresh coat of paint on both of them. I’d like them to look good when we start the new school year in August.
Why not bring a Little Free Library to your own neighborhood? Find out how to get started here.
My Community Connections campers, our first group of Little Free Library stewards, in 2013.
Our Little Free Libraries, under construction in 2013. (That’s Kate on the back row, third from the left).