Free little libraries encourage reading around Columbia Heights

Location: Highland Elementary School, Columbia Heights “I think having little libraries where students can access engaging current novels [and] books is a fantastic thing. If we want students to read more, then we need to make sure students have access to the type of books they want to read. Reading should not be an obstacle.” -Columbia Heights High School English Teacher Ms. Jacquelene Bayless, ...

Location: Blooming Heights Community Garden, Columbia Heights “I can tell you that I’m very excited about the [new] little free library in Blooming Heights and will be putting free seeds in with the books in the spring. During non-school hours I hope that students feel comfortable grabbing a book and coming into the garden to find a peaceful and cozy space to read a book.” — Columbia Heights P...

 Location: 4135 Quincy Street NE, Columbia Heights “[The libraries are] a good thing because they help add a sense of community as well as have books more readily available to those who might not be able to either get to the library or a bookstore. But they also have a few drawbacks—you're never too sure what kinds of books they will have inside, [and] people might just not return them in the ...

Location: 1555 40th Ave NE, Columbia Heights “I enjoy [the libraries]. They seem to make for a good motivation for people to read on a regular basis, and in an age where digital media rules the world, incentives to read are more valuable than ever. That being said, they do rely on people's goodwill, which is putting it at risk in some fashions. Generally speaking, though—I'm a fan.” -Ezra Rie...

Location: 4347 6th Street NE, Columbia Heights “I love little free libraries. They are a cool way to share with your neighbors and connect with people and books you may not be familiar with. Even if library funding in cities and school districts wasn't constantly being slashed, I would still want LFLs to exist, because they offer surprise and goodwill in a community, especially in a pandemic! ...

Location: Huset Parkway, Columbia Heights “As an English teacher, any clever idea to get books into as many people's hands as possible is a great idea [to me]. In addition to potentially sparking people's interest in reading at all ages, these free little libraries also remind us that reading and sharing ideas is a communal experience—one where you are encouraged to interact with other membe...