In New York City, Little Free Libraries Share Diverse Books Through ‘Read In Color' Initiative

Press release from the Little Free Library:

2021-08-09

New York City is welcoming five special Little Free Library book-sharing boxes—one for each borough—to highlight books that feature diverse content, characters, and creators. The neighborhood libraries are part of the Little Free Library (LFL) nonprofit organization’s national Read in Color initiative, which will distribute 20,000 diverse books and 100 Little Free Libraries across the country this year.

New York’s Read in Color libraries are being established by LFL in partnership with HEALTH for Youths’ founder Heather Butts and various local nonprofit organizations. We are grateful to work alongside these outstanding partners.

In connection with each NYC Read in Color library launch, media personality Ashley Bellman of NBC’s New York Live and The TODAY Show is interviewing popular multicultural authors, like Peace Medie and Yamile Saied Méndez. Tune in below!

Read on to learn more about New York’s Read in Color libraries, which will be unveiled throughout the summer and fall to promote greater understanding, empathy, and inclusion.

Bronx

On July 31, we unveiled the second of five New York “Read in Color” Little Free Libraries at Hostos-Lincoln Academy’s soccer pitch in the South Bronx, a borough that currently has only one bookstore. We were grateful to work with partners the New York City Football Club, City in the Community, and our longtime collaborator Health for Youths. This Little Free Library will be filled with books that reflect many different experiences—the key mission of the Read in Color initiative.

“We know the importance of books written by authors of color and accessible spaces to youth,” said NYCFC Senior Manager of Community Development Prospero Herrera, pictured above. “It’s a wonderful feeling knowing we can combine both in the Bronx starting at the Hostos mini pitch. Thanks to generous partners working together, we believe this library will improve access to books for the community and help NYCFC and City in the Community continue providing free and innovative programming to students and families served by this pitch.”

At the ribbon-cutting, we were honored to welcome special guests Hostos-Lincoln Assistant Principal Vincent Marano; Miss New York, Sydney Park; teachers; coaches; and some fantastic Saturday Night Lights NYC soccer students. Here are a few of the things they shared at the event:

• Former student and current coach at the Hostos mini-pitch, Nayelly Rodriguez, said, “I was excited for the Little Free Library because I am a bookworm, and love to see a child invested in a book. Many kids in the Bronx are underserved and don’t have access to books or anything at all. Kids in this neighborhood now have access to free books which is a great way to improve their vocabulary, grammar and speaking skills. We live in a world where we speak different languages but literacy gives us more ways to speak with each other and helps us improve connections within the community.”

• “We’re happy that NYCFC and Little Free Library and all of the partners are here to make sure students have access to books, soccer and school,” said Assistant Principal, Vincent Marano, Hostos-Lincoln Academy of Science.

• “This is the culmination of a lot of different ideas, but also dreams in terms of literacy and bringing more reading to the Bronx and all five boroughs,” said Heather Butts, Co-Founder and Executive Director of HEALTH for Youths.

• “We are super happy and thrilled to be working with a partner like NYCFC because it’s critically important that we work with local community partners,” said Greig Metzger, Executive Director, Little Free Library.

• Miss New York and City in the Community Coach, Sydney Park, commented: “I am glad to be here today and so excited there’s now a little free library at Hostos Lincoln Academy and this lovely pitch where we can play soccer, and support not only our bodies but also our minds.”

Author Interview

In connection with this Read in Color library launch, Ashley Bellman interviewed Yamile Saied Méndez on her book Furia, a young adult novel about a rising soccer star who must put everything on the line to follow her dreams. Watch it below!

Staten Island

New York’s first Read in Color Little Free Library debuted on Staten Island at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden. The unveiling was part of the community’s inaugural Juneteenth Freedom Festival, featuring music, arts and crafts, historical reenactments, and more. Heather Butts, cofounder of the nonprofit HEALTH for Youths (pictured below right) is championing the Read in Color initiative in New York. Media personality Ashley Bellman (below left) is enriching the program with author interviews in conjunction with each launch.

Author Interview

Here, Ashley Bellman interviews Peace Medie, author of His Only Wife:

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This press release was produced by the Little Free Library. The views expressed are the author's own.