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This project was eligible for matching funds through Memphis

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Little Free Libraries for 1 to 3 year old children

Providing children's books via LFL's helps mothers and caregivers interact with their children, and establishes basic vocabulary at an early age.

Leader

Robert Schreiber

Location

Citywide Memphis, TN 38120

About the project

We propose placing Little Free Library kiosks near community centers, churches, and public schools in order to provide books for young mothers and other caregivers who may have difficulty accessing the public library system. Each Little Free Library stocked with books appropriate for children ages 1 to 3 will be adopted and curated by a neighborhood group. Our hope is to make books as accessible as possible to encourage the beginning of literacy and reading skills, as well as bonding between toddlers and their mothers and other caregivers.

The Steps

We will work with the local community centers, the Memphis Public Library, Books from Birth, Livable Memphis, and the Rotary Memphis East Chapter. We have approval for and plans to install 6 more LFL’s at the following Community Centers: Hollywood, Glenview, Hickory Hill, Mitchell, McFarland, and Orange Mound.

Once the LFLs are in place, they will need to be restocked with books on some routine basis.

Why we‘re doing it

Studies show that the academic success of a child is predictable with 95% accuracy by age five--before the school system ever interacts with the child. Research from the Urban Child Institute has also shown that one of the most powerful influences on a child is mother-child interaction during the exceptional brain growth that occurs from birth to age three. Additionally, numerous studies have proven the importance of access to books during this time to help develop early literacy skills that will become the foundation for lifelong learning. 

“When you consider that a child’s brain grows to 80% of its adult size and is twice as active as adults from birth until age three, there is no better tool than books to help a child succeed.” - Books From Birth website

$605.00 / $605.00