Little buildings are sprouting up around Lorain County to help spread literacy

OBERLIN — In their effort to get books to more children, United Way of Greater Lorain County has installed the second of nine Little Free Libraries in Oberlin. The library was installed in the courtyard behind OberlinKids next to Slow Train Cafe. Before Executive Director Bill Harper was finished digging the hole, people in the offices around the courtyard already were taking notice. Tina Roberts, who works in Oberlin College's alumni center nearby, said she regularly donates her books to little libraries when she's done reading them. She said she used to keep books in her trunk, waiting until she saw a Little Free Library to donate them to. Now, she'll have one right outside her door. United Way's Marketing and Engagement Director Ryan Aroney said the little buildings are part of the United Way's mission to get books to children around the county who are without them. "There's a large percentage of families in poverty who don't have age-appropriate books in the home," Aroney said. "We really just want books to get out to people who want to read." Aroney said there's a large gap in academic success between children who have books at a young age and children who don't. By working with PolyOne Corp., he said the United Way was able to build these Little Free Libraries to help get books to some of the families who need them. The libraries are part of United Way's collect, sort and distribute program, which is gathering books, school supplies, feminine hygiene products and professional clothing and getting them to the people that need them. Aroney said the libraries will be part of distributing books to people, along with the literacy kits the organization gives to families. Even though the libraries have a "Take One, Leave One" policy, Aroney said the expectation is for people to keep the books, and that the United Way will replenish them as needed. The United Way partnered with OberlinKids to install this library, and it will now sit in the courtyard behind the organization's building. OberlinKids Director Jenn Keathley said the organization's mission is getting early-age children ready for kindergarten. She said the little library and literacy kits are a large part of that. "Our goal is for all children to have as many books as possible," she said. OberlinKids serves any children who will attend kindergarten in the Oberlin school system, and Keathley said 84 percent of those kids already are in the program. Along with literacy, the program aims to help families in all aspects of getting their students ready. Keathley said that means helping out with food, job placement and other aspects of family life. "If a family's needs aren't met, the child's needs are less likely to be met," she said. Keathley said any parents interested can visit oberlinkids.org for more information. Aroney said the rest of the Little Free Libraries should be installed soon. He said El Centro in Lorain, Midview Middle School in Eaton Township and East Park Recreation Center in Elyria are planned destinations for the buildings. Contact Sean McDonnell at (440) 329-7148 or smcdonnell@chroniclet.com