City Bookworms: Little Free Libraries

Frankie L. '28 and Camila J. '28 

Today, we are all glued to our devices. Screen time is the enemy of cognitive development, especially for youth. The physical book has become an ancient relic. But not for us “City Bookworms” and the student club we formed last year that uses books as a gateway to explore our city and deepen our love of reading, local history, and cultural connection. We honor the physical book. We believe in its power to shape our learning, expand our minds, and create changemakers in our society.

Public and school libraries are the first source for access to physical books. But evidence shows that Little Free Libraries (public book-sharing boxes) can play an important role, too. They improve access to books, increase literacy, and encourage children to build their own home libraries. Unfortunately, in many cities like ours, Little Free Libraries are not distributed equally. They are costly to build and install. We seized an opportunity and applied for a grant. This school year, we are poised to introduce more than 10 new Little Free Libraries into our local neighborhoods and spread the joy of reading.