Ellicott City Girl Scout Cadette celebrates World Book Day

EMMS 8th grader Gianna Athavale wants to connect with her Worthington community in Taylor Village - 1 book at a time. On Tuesday, April 23rd, Gianna Athavale completed her Girl Scout Silver Award project by installing a free micro-library in her neighborhood’s pool and recreation area. It was not a coincidence that Tuesday was World Book Day, Gianna chose that day to complete her project to recognize the special role of books in society.

In a world that is dominated by the use of technology, the Girl Scout Cadette often found herself feeling bored once there was nothing left to do on her phone. When she asked her mom about activities, the answer was always the same, “Go outside”, she would say, or, “read a book”. When it came to the latter, Gianna’s response would always be the same, “I’ve read all of my books”. That led Gianna to think about how the closest library to her house was at least 7 miles away. Gianna then considered that there must be an easier way to get kids out of the house, and get them reading. While doing research for her Girl Scout Cadette silver award project, she learned about different community-based programs where a child can donate books they have finished reading and, in exchange, get new books for free.

One program in particular, in which “bird house like” structures filled with donated books are placed in community common areas, caught her attention. Any child can come and take a book or two and in return, donate one of their old books to the box, for no price at all. This type of upcycling has struck the nation by storm, with almost 75,000 of these book boxes all over the country. Gianna decided she wanted to help her community join on in this fun version of recycling. By doing this, she not only is saving the trees, and reducing on carbon dioxide emissions, that would be released with the throwing away of old books, but also is helping her community become closer, getting them off their screens and enjoying the natural beauty around them.

Working with the Taylor Village homeowners association, her school, and the local Children of America childcare center, Gianna picked a location that she thought would be easily accessible and heavily trafficked by children. With the help of her parents, her little sister Rhea, and the other Cadettes in her troop, she got to work on the installation. She clearly picked a great location because before she even finished loading the donated books into her library, a young brother and sister approached with their mom and asked if they could each have a book to read. In this instance, she connected with her community, two books at a time.