Little Free Library Grand Opening Celebrates Literacy in Community

(Courtesy of USD 457)

GARDEN CITY, Kan. — Garden City Public Schools will be putting in a Little Free Library at the Educational Support Center, 1205 Fleming Street.  The district will host a grand‐opening and ribbon cutting for the Little Free Library on Tuesday, April 30, from 4:30 – 5:00 p.m.

The new Little Free Library is part of the Literacy in Kansas grant, which the district received in July of 2018.  The goals of the grant are to support literacy in our schools and community and to increase access to print for all community members. This is the first of four Little Free Libraries to be opening in the community.

“Our Little Free Library doesn’t just belong to us at the district, it belongs to the whole community,” said Mary Karlin, USD 457 Community Literacy Liaison/Grant Facilitator. “Like other public book exchanges, neighbors or passersby can take a book to read or leave one for someone else to find and enjoy.  It’s our hope that this Little Free Library will bring a little more joy, a little more connection with families and a lot more books out to our community.”

The Garden City High School Health and Trades Academy designed and constructed the library as a school project.  Mr. Don Murrell and Dr. Bud Smithson along with the high school art teachers taught and supervised the students in planning, constructing, and painting the library.

Maintaining of the supply of books and oversight will be done by district employees.  There will be security cameras at the location to assist in protecting the safety of the individuals visiting the site.  This Little Free Library will be registered and will appear on the Little Free Libraries World Map at littlefreelibrary.org.