Impact Library Program Steward Stories, August 2024

By Sarah Nelson

Little Free Library’s Impact Library Program provides no-cost Little Free Library book-sharing boxes to underserved communities where they can make a meaningful impact on book access and literacy engagement. This month we heard from two stewards who were previously granted libraries through our Impact Library Program and wanted to share their stories.

Additionally, we granted 20 Impact Library Packages to applicants from schools, libraries, and nonprofit organizations in August 2024. These new Little Free Libraries will be expanding book access from Bangor, ME to Burnaby, BC, Canada, and many areas in between! Learn more about where we’ve placed Impact Library Program awards over the years.

Vanessa E. — #176980 in Salinas, CA

“After receiving the Impact Library grant, I anxiously waited for my little library. I was excited, but also nervous that even though I had good intentions, it could be disastrous. Perhaps, it wouldn’t be well received by the community or there wouldn’t be any engagement or it could get vandalized. All the possibilities swirled around in my head.

Today, I’m in awe at how lovely this community has been. Without much more than word of mouth, my Little Free Library sees engagement a few times a day and has had more than a dozen new books added to the rotation in just the six weeks it has been up and running. Some books that have been taken have been read and brought back, and the fun stickers in the kindness box have been flying off the shelf. It’s times like these when a community comes together over something seemingly insignificant that I am reminded that one person can make a difference. My Little Free Library on La Mesa is positively impacting at least one person and that’s all I could have ever wanted.”

Brian T. — #184545 in Antioch, TN

“We got the library installed!!! Here’s some photos of our little girl, Olive (seven years old)… It all worked out fantastic, and we get so excited checking the library to see what’s missing and what’s added. Olive named it LuLu The Library. Thank you so much for everything, the process and construction is wonderful. Being an artist, we already have ideas about making it ‘louder,’ creative, and a bit more visible.”

Help us bring Little Free Libraries full of books where they’re needed most. Donate today! When you donate, you help us provide libraries to communities like these.

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