There are now 150,000 Little Free Library book boxes around the world, sharing more than 70 million books each year!
We were thrilled to grant the 150,000th Little Free Library to the Mid-Cumberland Community Action Agency (MCCAA) at their Head Homes Head Start location in Lebanon, Tennessee. Open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, this Little Free Library will help remove barriers to reading for local children and families.
The 150,000th Little Free Library, found at No. 1 Wheeler Street in Lebanon, joins LFL’s global network, which extends to 50 U.S. states, 115 countries, and all 7 continents (even Antarctica). It is accompanied by a mini library attachment to hold food and other essentials when needed.
“The installation of the 150,000th Little Free Library would not have been possible without the sustained efforts of volunteers across the country and around the world,” said LFL Executive Director Greig Metzger. “While not only being a catalyst for building community, our volunteers’ work inspires readers and expands access to books Over 70 million books are shared in Little Free Libraries each year, engaging readers of all ages.”
Joining the celebration were singers John Carter Cash and Ana Cristina Cash, who performed three songs at the event. Children’s author Tami Charles read her book All Because You Matter to the kids in attendance, who received free books to take home.
MCCAA, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families achieve self-sufficiency, received the Little Free Library via LFL’s Impact Library Program, a donor-driven initiative that places little libraries full of books in underserved areas.
“We are grateful to become a part of the Little Free Library community,” said MCCAA Head Start Parent Family Community Engagement Coordinator Shannon Brawner. “This 150,000th milestone library, along with six additional libraries, will provide books and canned food items to Mid-Cumberland Community Action Agency families and communities allowing all to ‘Feed your Body, Feed your Mind.’”
A total of seven Little Free Libraries and roughly 1,500 books were generously donated by Scholastic for Head Start programs in the region. Scholastic is also providing book bundles for LFL stewards and a 200-copy giveaway of Colin Kaepernick’s book I Color Myself Different for LFL fans.
“Scholastic is proud to have partnered with Little Free Library for over three years on our shared mission of providing free book access to children and families across the country,” said Lizette Serrano, VP Educational Marketing, Scholastic. “We’re thrilled to be part of this new milestone achievement by providing seven new LFL installations that feature authors and culturally responsive books representing a range of beloved literature from All Because You Matter by Tami Charles to Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan to Twins by Varian Johnson. We hope these books will continue to inspire kids everywhere and spark a love of reading at home.”
We believe collaboration can have an accelerated impact on creating equitable book access.
“The challenge of limited book access in our nation requires a multi-faceted solution,” Metzger said. “Working together in partnership with like-minded organizations can make a larger, faster impact. That is what we are doing today here in Tennessee in partnership with Scholastic and MCCAA. It is an honor to be working with these organizations as we empower today’s children and their future.”
