A: What’s Joe building? What’s a Little Free Library?
A: Parishioners Anna Mackey and Donna Bernert hatched an idea to build and stock a Little Free Library on the parish grounds, and Joe Bernert got to work building it. Then, Anna, with help from Linda Carter, has supplied the first books to fill it up. Little Free Libraries are book-sharing boxes that are open seven days a week, 24 hours a day and are freely accessible to all, removing barriers to book access.
From the Little Little Free Library website’s About Us:
“We are facing a growing literacy crisis. Today in the United States, more than 30 million adults cannot read or write above a third-grade level. Studies have repeatedly shown that books in the hands of children have a meaningful impact on improving literacy. The more books in or near the home, the more likely a child will learn and love to read. But two out of three children living in poverty have no books to call their own.
Little Free Library book-sharing boxes play an essential role by providing 24/7 access to books (and encouraging a love of reading!) in areas where books are scarce. At the Little Free Library nonprofit, we’re working to fill book deserts and grant libraries to underserved communities through our Impact Library Program and other initiatives.
Through Little Free Library book exchanges, millions of books are exchanged each year, profoundly increasing access to books for readers of all ages and backgrounds.”