The 100,000th Little Free Library is here! We are thrilled to announce that the world’s 100,000th Little Free Library book-sharing box now stands at the Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans (AAMA) in Houston. To celebrate this milestone, we are granting 100 Little Free Library boxes to sites that will create greater book access for children.
“Reaching today’s 100,000 Little Free Library milestone is a testament to the worldwide network of passionate volunteer stewards who support book access,” said LFL executive director Greig Metzger. “Through their efforts, over 36 million books will be shared this year. Book access is the foundation of literacy development, which in turn provides for healthy, engaged, and prosperous communities. We are honored to support that global effort.”
Celebrate this important milestone by downloading the 100,000th library celebration bookmarks and sharing them in a Little Free Library! Download the bookmarks in Spanish or download the bookmarks in English.
100,000th Little Free Library Celebration
AAMA received the 100,000th Little Free Library via our Impact Library Program, a donor-driven initiative that places little libraries in underserved areas. The library features the artwork of award-winning illustrator John Parra from the book Little Libraries, Big Heroes. In addition to the library AAMA—which is marking 50 years of serving Latino families—will receive free English- and Spanish-language books for a year, provided by learning company Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH).
The impact that the Little Free Library will have on the students, clients and families we serve is truly incredible,” said Joe Jimenez, President and CEO of AAMA. “What better way to support literacy than through a hands-on approach that this library will provide?”
“Having the 100,000th Little Free Library in our community will work hand in hand with AAMA’s 50-year mission of empowering and inspiring families and children,” added Patrick Rocha, AAMA’s director of prevention and counseling. “The Little Free Library will have a tremendous impact on the lives of children and families today as well as a tremendous impact in the lives of children and families in the future. This is a gift for many generations of AAMA clients, community, and students.”
The 100,000th Little Free Library, found at AAMA’s outreach center at 204 Clifton Street, joins LFL’s global network. Since the first Little Free Library book-sharing box was created in 2009, they have been established in all 50 U.S. states and 108 countries. Through these little libraries, an estimated 165 million books have been shared.
The special launch ceremony of the Little Free Library at AAMA included a ribbon-cutting; remarks from Jimenez and Metzger; story time with Miss Houston; and free books for the preschool students in attendance. Separate from the event, Mayor Sylvester Turner declared March 11, 2020 “Little Free Library Day” in Houston.
100 Little Free Libraries Will Be Granted
We are excited to gift 100 Little Free Library book-sharing boxes to sites that will create greater book access for children! Individuals or organizations in the U.S. and Canada—such as schools, community centers, and public libraries—are invited to apply through the application deadline of April 11. Each library will include a starter set of children’s books provided by HMH.
“We want these libraries to reach organizations that help a critical constituency: children and their families in book deserts,” said Metzger. “The data is clear; books in children’s hands accelerate and strengthen reading skills. Little Free Library wants to continue to be a catalyst for learning success.”
UPDATE: Read about the 100 Little Free Library grantees here!
100,000th Library Celebration Social Media Graphic
Please use the graphic below to spread the word on social media! Click on the image to download it.
