In honor of One World Essentials—a landmark publishing program celebrating groundbreaking books that help readers understand and shape our changing world—Little Free Library and One World, an imprint of Random House, have announced a new national partnership to bring stories of justice, identity, and hope directly into communities across the United States.
Through this collaboration, Little Free Library and One World will install 12 custom-designed Little Free Library book-sharing boxes, each inspired by a title from the One World Essentials collection and placed in a community with meaningful ties to the book and/or its author. These libraries serve as both a celebration of visionary thinkers and a lasting resource for free access to powerful, conversation-shaping literature.
“Books are the essential medium for immersing ourselves in the kinds of art and ideas that can change communities, cultures, and, most importantly, our own private minds and hearts,” said Chris Jackson, One World EVP, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief. “The books in this series are not just about thinking, but rethinking, not just observing, but getting close, not just catharsis but movement to action. Most of all, they’re meant to be freely read and shared—and we’re excited to get them to more readers through this exciting partnership with Little Free Library.”
The One World Essentials authors include: Ta-Nehisi Coates, Quiara Alegría Hudes, Dr. Mona Hanna, Cathy Park Hong, Valarie Kaur, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, Heather McGhee, Wes Moore, Trevor Noah, Bryan Stevenson, Karla Cornejo Villavicencio, and Katharine K. Wilkinson and Ayana Johnson.
“Books have the power to open minds, build empathy, and strengthen communities,” said Daniel Gumnit, CEO of the Little Free Library nonprofit organization. “By partnering with One World to share these essential works in places deeply connected to their stories and authors, we’re creating spaces where readers can engage with ideas that challenge, inspire, and help us imagine a more just and connected world.”
To mark the launch, Little Free Library and One World are offering 12 no-cost Little Free Library book-exchange packages to book-lovers in select communities across the country via an application process.
Eligible Locations and Featured Titles
Each custom Little Free Library corresponds to a specific book and location:
- Montgomery, AL – Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
- Los Angeles, CA – See No Stranger by Valarie Kaur
- Oakland, CA – Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong
- Atlanta, GA – All We Can Save by Katharine K. Wilkinson and Ayana Johnson
- Baltimore, MD – The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore
- Baltimore, MD – Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
- Flint, MI – What the Eyes Don’t See by Dr. Mona Hanna
- Brooklyn, NY – The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee
- Manhattan, NY – Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
- Ossining, NY – The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
- Philadelphia, PA – My Broken Language by Quiara Alegría Hudes
- Washington, DC – How to Be an Antiracist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
What Each Library Package Includes
Each selected steward will receive a complete Little Free Library installation package, including:
- A fully assembled, custom two-story Little Free Library, painted black with custom panels uniquely inspired by a One World Essentials title
- A standard Little Free Library charter sign
- A custom dedication sign noting the Little Free Library was donated by One World on behalf of the author “for changing the world with words”
- A wood post kit for outdoor installation or a set of legs for indoor installation (determined upon confirmation)
- 25 brand-new books from One World Essentials, provided by One World
- A Little Free Library Steward’s Guide and ongoing support materials
If you are in one of the designated locations, you may apply for this opportunity by filling out the entry form by February 15. Together, Little Free Library and One World aim to spark dialogue, deepen understanding, and expand free access to essential books—one neighborhood at a time.
Through the Impact Library Program, we provide no-cost Little Free Library book exchanges to communities where books are scarce. We’ve granted more than 3,000 libraries through this program. Learn more about the Impact Library Program, and donate today to help us provide libraries to communities like these.