Andy Yung, a pre-K teacher at P.S. 244Q in Flushing, NY, is increasing book access in his community by installing Little Free Library book-sharing boxes, and he’s using DonorsChoose.org to fund the literacy project.
“My first LFL project sought to bring two libraries into my community,” Andy said. “I grew up in the community I currently teach at, so it’s a special place for me. I see a lot of myself in the students I serve and my own parents in theirs. I know how some members of the community often don’t have expendable income to buy books for their kids. I also know how important having books at home can be to impact a child’s future.”
As a teacher, Andy knows the value of access to books, especially for the age group he teaches.
“I often think about the two-decade-long study that found that the mere presence of a home library increases children’s academic success, vocabulary development, attention and job attainment,” Andy said. “Little Free Libraries can help our community in bringing more books into the homes of our students. So the first project I posted for LFL allowed us to put a library in our school playground for kids to access and the second was donated to the Queens Botanical Garden, a cultural institution that many of our families visit.”
Andy’s second project saw his efforts expanded to the greater Flushing area. One library went to a school, another to the playground of another. The third Andy modified with additional shelves and wheels so that it could move to different locations in the community. When it’s not in use, the third library sits outside his classroom for students and their families to use.
“With DonorsChoose, I’ve had about 250 projects funded over a 13 year period. That equates to around $165,000 funded in resources for my class, school, and community,” Andy said. “I would definitely recommend educators go through DonorsChoose to fund a LFL. It’s a great cause that has a lasting impact. I’ve actually had another teacher in the same school district reach out asking for advice which I gladly offered.”
Learn more about starting a Little Free Library of your own! And check out our programs, through which we grant no-cost book-sharing boxes where they are needed most.