An effort first started in May by the Wilson Way Neighborhood Initiative to promote reading and access to books by creating Little Free Libraries in its neighborhoods has grown to become a citywide campaign. Central United Methodist Church members, City Councilman Moses Zapien, and other community members, will be refurbishing 12 old newspaper vending machines into Little Free Libraries on Saturday, June 21, starting at 9:30 a.m. at Central United Methodist Church, located at 3700 Pacific Avenue, Stockton. The public is invited to participate. Paint and supplies will be provided.
The aim of the project is to encourage reading by providing local neighborhoods with easy and free access to books. The Little Free Libraries will be installed in neighborhoods and commercial areas around Stockton, allowing residents to freely borrow and exchange books at their leisure. The goal is to create and install 100 such Little Free Libraries in low literacy areas throughout the city. The old newspaper vending machines were donated by The Record Newspaper.
Community-based organizations can get involved by donating books or adopting one of the Little Free Libraries. Donated books for the Libraries can be dropped off during Saturday’s event. Monetary contributions to support the Libraries can be made through the Library and Literacy Foundation of San Joaquin. For additional information on this project or how your organization can adopt a Little Free Library, please contact any of the individuals listed below. For additional information on Central United Methodist Church, please contact Alan Cook, at (209) 466-5046.
Moses Zapien, City of Stockton: (209) 937-8279/
[email protected]
Kandi Howe, Delta Health Care:
[email protected]
Jerron Jordan, The First 50:
[email protected]
History of Little Free Libraries:
In 2009, Todd Bol of Hudson, Wisconsin, built the first mini library as a tribute to his mother, a former school teacher who loved reading. Rick Brooks, of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, saw Bol’s do-it-yourself project while they were discussing potential social enterprises and the two saw opportunities to achieve a wide variety of goals for the common good. Now, there are over 15,000 Little Free Libraries in all 50 states and over 40 countries. For More information on Little Free Library movement visit http://www.littlefreelibrary.org