The goal of this project is to increase childhood literacy and parent-child bonding through reading. The project relies on a wide range of community partners to build, install, and maintain miniature libraries that can be easily accessed by the community. While there are numerous little free libraries throughout Beloit, this project is an intentional effort to make sure that all areas of the city have access to these books, especially children’s books.

This project is in many ways consistent with the goals and expectations of the Little Free Library organization. They are an excellent resource and we encourage consideration of joining their organization and registering your library. Go to littlefreelibrary.org.

"LITTLE" LITTLE FREE LIBRARY INITIATIVE

Why should we

read?

So before you roam I’ll read a Poem

Why should we read books?

To help our imaginations soar

And let us hear the lion’s roar

Ride on the underground railroad

when many lives were bought and sold

Learn of lives in far-away places

then glimpse our own selves in their faces

See the subtle beauty of a flower

then learn to speak truth to power

Discover how we all can learn to share

and show what it really means to care

Journey to a galaxy far, far away and wonder if there you would want to stay

Maybe sail in a schooner with purple sails

and sing softly to the smiling whales

Examine long past histories

Study neglected her-stories

Consider why elephants have such big ears

and what they might remember through their long years

Learn about the truth of climate change

how we’re making the world so strange

Investigate the mighty Aztecs those most remarkable architects

But you know why you turn pages

and become ever wiser sages

It’s not just the joy of knowing

the awesome future you’re growing

It’s because reading is just plain fun

A journey begun but never done.

-John Pfleiderer

Executive Director