A collaboration between Ogden Newspapers, West Liberty University’s Kappa Delta Pi Education Honorary XI Chapter, Wheeling Parks and Recreation, Ohio County Virtual Lions Club, and Grow Warwood Pride is working to bring joy through reading to children of all ages and even adults.
This team effort is combining out-of-use newspaper boxes from Ogden Newspapers with volunteers from local organizations and local artists to create unique little free libraries throughout the county. Former City of Wheeling Director of Parks and Recreation Jesse Mestrovic identified 60 locations for potential little free libraries, and West Liberty University’s KDP local chapter, Ohio County Virtual Lions Club, and Grow Warwood Pride are working to deliver boxes, raise funds for materials and books, and collect books to stock the libraries.
This team of volunteers is calling all artists to submit their design for consideration – either in a general location or for a specific area. The artist can even submit as part of an organization project. A committee comprised of representatives from each of these organizations will accept the applications, set up delivery of the boxes, and work stock the boxes with books.
Grow Warwood Pride started this project with the young artists at Warwood Middle School; it can be found in front of Community Bank in Warwood, the former site of the Hillebrand Branch of the Ohio County Public Library. Joining forces with artists and organizations allows the project to take on a life beyond the one location and start a trend to spark interest in reading throughout the county.
“We are so excited that our little free library will be duplicated thanks to the work of many organizations and volunteers working together for our kids. Ogden Newspapers has been very generous in donating these depository boxes, which were constructed to withstand weather and be waterproof. We like to think of these completed projects as up cycled, functional art which will encourage kids of all ages to get outside and read more. We’re hoping to have enough to implement a photo contest for kids or a library “passport” to encourage children to visit all the locations throughout the county,” said Grow Warwood Pride President Julie Davis.
A free book sharing program and network, Little Libraries are designed to improve book access for all and literacy rates. Little Libraries have the potential to inspire a love of reading and to create a culture that values reading. Research has shown that book access is fundamental in literacy success. One of the most successful ways to improve the reading achievement of children is to increase their access to books, especially at home. A pivotal role in the community, Little Libraries provide 24/7 access to books. The Kappa Delta Pi Education Honorary, XI Chapter is a local chapter located at West Liberty University. The organization strives to promote literacy in the community. Those wishing to donate gently-used books to the Little Library collaborative project, may contact KDP Faculty Advisor Angela Curfman at angela.curfman@westliberty.edu or Ohio County Virtual Lions Club at ohiocountyvirtuallions@gmail.com or (304)370-4902.
The goal is to eventually have more little free libraries than any other area. Lake Worth, Florida has 95 locations serving a slightly smaller number than Ohio County. Wheeling Director of Parks and Recreation commented, “It would be really great if this became a destination for day trips and got kids and families out seeing the great parks and destinations Wheeling and surrounding locations have to offer.”
Artists can view the complete list of potential sites here: http://bit.ly/LittleFreeLibraryLocations.
Electronic submissions are preferred here: http://bit.ly/OhioCountyLittleFreeLibrary. Anyone wanting a specific site should submit an application promptly to prevent the site from being approved for another artist.
Submissions can also be submitted to ohiocountyvirtuallions@gmail.com or Dept of Parks and Recreation, 51 16th St, Wheeling, WV 26003.
Want to donate to help purchase paint and books? Make a tax-exempt donation to Grow Warwood Pride at www.donorbox.org/ohio-county-little-free-library-project.
