LITTLE FREE LIBRARY FOR KIDS OPENS SATURDAY, JUNE 9,
IN OAKDALE NEIGHBORHOOD

Neighbors of all ages have pulled together to establish a Little Free Library in a vacant lot at 1025 Oakdale St SE. The grand opening on Saturday, June 9, from 1 to 3 p.m. will feature free snacks, drumming, Vizions Dance, making bookmarks and, of course, BOOKS!

“If you can, bring a book to share at the grand opening. People who bring identification can also sign up for a free Grand Rapids Public Library card and Read to Ride bus pass to use at local branches,” said Teresa Jones.

The Little Free Library (LFL) at 1025 Oakdale St SE will focus on books for preschoolers through middle schoolers. Anyone may add or take a book at any time. The books are for sharing and must not be sold. The site also includes a picnic table, so neighborhood youth and adults can offer weekly summer story times in English, Spanish or Kinyarwanda.

The LFL at 1025 Oakdale St SE is officially registered by Little Free Library, an international nonprofit that fosters neighborhood book exchanges around the world. Its website states, “One of the most successful ways to improve the reading achievement of children is to increase their access to books, especially at home.”

The 1025 Oakdale St SE project is made possible by the City of Grand Rapids Neighborhood Match Fund, Habitat for Humanity of Kent County (which owns the vacant lot), Oakdale Neighbors, Modern Hardware, Steelcase, Bimbo Bakeries, Redux Books, Standard Lumber and dozens of neighbors and book donors.