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Sound Reader Free Libraries

We hope to support our transit system and bus riders with the installation of free libraries at bus stops across Seattle.

Leader

Kristina Krause

Location

5th and Pike Seattle, WA 98101

About the project

You can make commuting in Seattle better now.

With your help, there could be bus stop libraries across the city as soon as next month! These libraries will be free to all riders, offering books they can take with them on their journey, or read while they are waiting at their stop. The libraries will broaden the horizons of all passengers and entertain the lonely traveler. With your support this could be a reality and you could be part of the very first Sound Reader Free Library!

The bus stop libraries will offer exciting books and learning experiences for everyone. They will also:

  • improve the experience of commuting in our city,

  • create opportunities for more interaction and community-building among passengers, and

  • provide free education and entertainment for all.

We are partnering with ioby.org to make this happen and we have three days to raise the funds we need. Note that ioby matches all funds dollar for dollar up to $4,000. Please give today to improve the commuting experience and encourage greater use of public transportation in Seattle.

  • A donation of $10 will allow us to purchase five wonderful used books

  • A donation of $25 will help us to stock an entire bus stop library

  • A donation of $50 will allow us to stock two bus stop libraries

  • A donation of $75 will allow us to build an entire bus stop library

  • A donation of $100 will allow us to build and stock an entire bus stop library

  • A donation of $500 will allow us to purchase all the books to stock all the libraries

  • A donation equivalent to the cost of your normal bus ride will also help us reach our goal of $4000

If those numbers are too boring for you, donate the amount equivalent to your favorite bus route! Such as the 358 ($358) or the 2 ($2 or $222).

Along with your donation, please suggest your favorite book either in addition to, or in lieu of stating your name under donor information in the check out process, and it will be included in a Sound Reader Free Library!

The top donor will receive a free membership to the Seattle Public Library.

The Steps

October 24th - 27th: Raise money for Sound Reader

November 1st:  Sound Reader Library prototype completed

November 7th: All books purchased

November 14th: Complete Sound Reader Library construction

November 21st: Bestow first neighborhood bus stop with Sound Reader Library

November 28th - January 30th: Depending on funding, determine future locations

January 1st onward – Depending on the success of the first phase, the second phase will include more libraries and inclusion of digital content for download through QR codes posted on the walls of the libraries.

Why we‘re doing it

Seattle is quickly growing; however, transit is not being funded at the level necessary to improve, or even meet, the demands of bus riders. Public transportation decreases traffic, pollution, and road rage, and increases connectedness to the city, community awareness, and healthy living.  We want to give Seattleites more reason to use and enjoy public transportation and push our city and state to fund transit at a level that matches the needs of our city.

$4,975.00 / $4,295.00