Little Free Libraries Coming to Town
Mississippi schools have been doing their part to raise the reading levels of our children but now five women right here on the Coast are going above and beyond. Little Free Libraries are a way for children to take and leave books around their community. Now, they’re coming to Pascagoula. News 25’s Bryan Kennedy takes a look at how these small libraries could produce big results for Coast students.
Literacy is the backbone of our educational system. Amy Brandenstein says that’s why she was driven to create Little Free Libraries because accessibility shouldn’t hinder anyone’s desire to read. “The hope is that we’re bringing these books closer to children and adults that may not be able to get to one and hopefully create that love of reading across our city.”
To foster that love, Brandenstein enlisted the help of others, Including Whimsy Books and Toy owner Tracy Jackson-Wilson. The women worked with the Pascagoula School District to have the libraries built and eventually placed throughout the city without paying a dime. The libraries were built by students as class projects. Richard Chenoweth with Scranton’s Restaurant said, “We’re trying to encourage kids to get their head out of TV and put it into a book. So, we’re hoping they’ll come in, see the little fire truck library and encourage them to step over and take the next step and get a book.”
So, how exactly does a Little Free Library work? If you find one in your community, you take a book home, read it, enjoy it and bring it back. When you bring the book back, you can always grab another book or donate your own book to give someone else the opportunity to read. Tracy Jackson-Wilson, Little Free Library organizer, said, “I know growing up, I loved to read and I think all the screen time and the electronics nowadays, it kind of takes away from actually using your imagination, visualizing a setting, getting into a character.”
Jerry Lee’s Grocery and Scranton’s Restaurant are just two of the eventual eleven locations for the libraries. And don’t worry, they won’t stay plain for long. “Local artists will help decorate these in the coming weeks and we hope to unveil them right before Christmas,” said Brandenstein.
You can donate books to the Little Free Library by dropping them off at Whimsy Books and Toys in Pascagoula.
Literacy is the backbone of our educational system. Amy Brandenstein says that’s why she was driven to create Little Free Libraries because accessibility shouldn’t hinder anyone’s desire to read. “The hope is that we’re bringing these books closer to children and adults that may not be able to get to one and hopefully create that love of reading across our city.”
To foster that love, Brandenstein enlisted the help of others, Including Whimsy Books and Toy owner Tracy Jackson-Wilson. The women worked with the Pascagoula School District to have the libraries built and eventually placed throughout the city without paying a dime. The libraries were built by students as class projects. Richard Chenoweth with Scranton’s Restaurant said, “We’re trying to encourage kids to get their head out of TV and put it into a book. So, we’re hoping they’ll come in, see the little fire truck library and encourage them to step over and take the next step and get a book.”
So, how exactly does a Little Free Library work? If you find one in your community, you take a book home, read it, enjoy it and bring it back. When you bring the book back, you can always grab another book or donate your own book to give someone else the opportunity to read. Tracy Jackson-Wilson, Little Free Library organizer, said, “I know growing up, I loved to read and I think all the screen time and the electronics nowadays, it kind of takes away from actually using your imagination, visualizing a setting, getting into a character.”
Jerry Lee’s Grocery and Scranton’s Restaurant are just two of the eventual eleven locations for the libraries. And don’t worry, they won’t stay plain for long. “Local artists will help decorate these in the coming weeks and we hope to unveil them right before Christmas,” said Brandenstein.
You can donate books to the Little Free Library by dropping them off at Whimsy Books and Toys in Pascagoula.
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