Community members gathered on Staten Island in New York for the 2026 Global Day of Unplugging to build six new Little Free Library book-sharing boxes. The celebration also featured book giveaways for the whole family, a read-aloud, and free food provided by Massimo Felici of Don Cheech restaurant.
The event was led by Little Free Library Board Vice Chair Heather Butts. Heather is Assistant Professor and Leadership Faculty Lead for the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and the co‑founder of H.E.A.L.T.H. for Youths.
According to Heather, the new Little Free Libraries will join the 49 registered libraries on the Island to help promote literacy and community through the book‑sharing hubs.
The libraries will be donated to Borough Hall, the Muslim Sisters of Staten Island, and a school on the South Shore, and two will be located at Richmond University Medical Center. The offices of Assemblymembers Charles D. Fall and Sam Pirozzolo will choose the location of the sixth.
“Having one of these special libraries proudly placed at Staten Island Borough Hall highlights our borough’s commitment to literacy as a public priority,” Borough President Vito Fossella said.
Little Free Library Executive Director and CEO Daniel Gumnit attended the event and celebrated with the community. “These Little Free Libraries are part of a global book-sharing movement. They’re in 128 countries on seven continents, and every year they give away about 83 million books, which is a big number,” he explained.
Learn more about starting a Little Free Library.