Did you know more than 30 million adults cannot read or write above a third-grade level? Did you know 2 out of 3 children living in poverty have no books of their own?
Created to cultivate a love of reading and literacy in underserved areas, the first Little Free Library was built in 2009 by the late Todd Bol in Hudson, Wisconsin with an initial goal to produce 2,510 Little Libraries. His idea eventually blossomed into the establishment of a 501c3 nonprofit organization with the headquarters located in St. Paul, MN. Their mission is to “be a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Libraries”, with a vision to put a Little Free Library in every community and a supply a book for every reader.
Little Free Libraries are built in all shapes and sizes and installed in various locations throughout the world. The intent is to be a book exchange box with 24/7 access. A passerby can take a book to read and/or leave one for someone else to find.
Globally, there are now 125,000+ Little Free Libraries over 100+ countries with approximately 42 million books shared annually. Locally, the Get Georgia Reading Campaign and Cobb Collaborative teamed up with community partners to place 21 Little Free Libraries across Cobb County with a primary focus on underserved areas.
Through the Service with Love Giving Fund, Innovative Fitness had the privilege of funding our very own Little Free Library, which will soon be installed in Cobb County. Watch for upcoming press releases on the location and join us at the unveiling celebration.
Visit www.littlefreelibrary.org/map/ to find your nearest Little Free Library! You can also get involved by donating gently used books to the Cobb Collaborative, so they can continue providing free books through the Little Free Libraries in Cobb County.
Service with Love Giving Fund