Washburn Review
Washburn University
Volume 140, Issue 26
April 24, 2013
washburnreview.org
Little Free Libraries spread literacy Tricia Peterson
WASHBURN REVIEW
A current program in Topeka is making it easier for Topekans to read by giving them easier access to used books. People can even drop off their own books, if they want, in the little house-shaped boxes found in various neighborhoods around town. This program, Little Free Library, Ltd., began in Wisconsin in 2009 as a way to build the community and promote literacy with free book exchanges within neighborhoods. Kimberly and James Daugherty heard about the program and built one for their front yard. They liked the message the program was trying to spread and decided to participate. They didn’t know that it would take off like it did. “It brings people together at the location in the neighborhood to talk,” said Kimberly Daugherty. “Instead of just rushing in and out of your house, you kind of start talking [to each other] about books and then you start talking about other
continued on page 3 It’s For Everybody, Literally: Tricia Peterson enjoys looking through the books this Little Free LIbrary has to offer. This box, painted by a Girl Scout, can be found on 1202 Wayne Avenue.
photo by Linnzi Fusco, Washburn Review