The NFRC Little Free Library Community Project
Little Free Libraries Encourage Community Reading
One of the most successful ways to improve the reading achievement of children and foster a love of reading is to increase their access to books, especially at home. But according to the U.S. Department of Education, up to 61% of low-income families have no books for kids in their homes.
Little Free Libraries is a nationally prominent nonprofit literacy initiative that "inspires a love of reading, builds community, and sparks creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges.” Their aim is to provide access to books 24/7 in areas where books are scarce.
How is this accomplished? By placing attractive, free-standing kiosks in accessible areas and inviting anyone to take a book or donate a book for others to enjoy.
And now the NFRC is working to join in by establishing Little Free Libraries in areas of need throughout our community—from Buffalo to Niagara Falls, from Lackawanna to Lockport, and everywhere in between.
Click here to read a news article about the project.
Little Free Libraries is a nationally prominent nonprofit literacy initiative that "inspires a love of reading, builds community, and sparks creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges.” Their aim is to provide access to books 24/7 in areas where books are scarce.
How is this accomplished? By placing attractive, free-standing kiosks in accessible areas and inviting anyone to take a book or donate a book for others to enjoy.
And now the NFRC is working to join in by establishing Little Free Libraries in areas of need throughout our community—from Buffalo to Niagara Falls, from Lackawanna to Lockport, and everywhere in between.
Click here to read a news article about the project.
Interested in Donating?
If you are willing to help the NFRC establish little free libraries locally by assisting in building a little free library, securing a site, donating to our local initiative, or if you simply wish to offer suggestions, please contact Judy Bradbury at judybradburywrites@gmail.com. Click here to read a news article about the project.
Where can you find NFRC Little Free Libraries?
New Little Free Library Installed
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The Niagara Frontier Reading Council has added another Little Free Library to our area! Built by friend of the NFRC, Paul Lyons, and installed by board member Dr. John Strong, it replaces a privately-owned library that was destroyed by a car accident. If you would like to build or support a Little Free Library for our WNY area, please contact Judy Bradbury at judybradburywrites@gmail.com. |
Niagara Falls, New York
The NFRC's newest LFL was installed at 79th Street School (551 79th St.) in Niagara Falls, NY on September 12. Thanks to our friend Paul Lyons for building another LFL for the NFRC, and for installing it with the help of Rich Tedeschi; to NFRC board member Pamela Garabedian for securing the site; and to NFRC member Renny Staples, who assisted throughout the process.
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Tonawanda, New York
One of our Little Free Library is in the yard of Kathy Russell in the Sheridan-Parkside area of Tonawanda, NY. It is the result of a collaborative effort between Eagle Scout candidate Duncan Metlak and the Niagara Frontier Reading Council. Duncan completed three LFL’s, this being his final one to complete the requirements for Eagle Scout.
Kathy Russell responded to the Reading Council’s social media post looking for a home for a LFL. She has been very active in her community as chairperson of Sheridan Parkside Village Property Owners Association, Neighborhood Watch chairperson, member of Town of Tonawanda Crime Resistance Executive Board and ran Kathy’s Korner Book Exchange at the Community Building, among some of her community service activities. She was the first recipient of the Town of Tonawanda Community Service Award. Kathy loves decorating and we can’t wait to see how she dresses up her new LFL for each of the holidays, enticing children and adults alike to visit and peruse the books contained within.
North Tonawanda, New York
Niagara Frontier Reading Council dedicated a Little Free Library on October 14th at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church at 1135 Oliver Street in North Tonawanda. It was a collaborative effort between NFRC, Alice Pfonner from St. Mark’s, and Duncan Metlak, as his Eagle Scout Project.
Duncan is a Life Scout in Troop 229 out of Thomas Edison Elementary School in Tonawanda, led by Scoutmaster Christopher Antholzner. He is a senior at North Tonawanda High School and an Honor Student in the Welding program at Niagara Orleans BOCES. His plan after high school is to continue his training in welding at Niagara County Community College, earning an Associates in Applied Science degree. He planned, organized, and had the Little Free Library built and installed that will serve as a resource for the Gratwick section of North Tonawanda. As a young boy, Duncan was intimidated by chapter books. When he discovered Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Duncan managed to overcome his dislike for reading. He went on to read other chapter books and has been an avid reader ever since. When a request to build Little Free Libraries was received by the Troop, Duncan saw this as a chance to provide kids like him the opportunity to see the world through reading. Even More.....
Additional Little Free Libraries in Western New York!
Visit Ontario Street in Lockport and Sommer St. in North Tonawanda to checkout a book |
Williamsville, New York
The Niagara Frontier Reading Council dedicated Little Free Library (LFL) in Williamsville. It is located at North Forest Road just north of Maple Road in a Community Garden behind Community of Grace Church adjacent to a number of apartment complexes.
Read more here. 
Lockport, New York
The NFRC wishes to thank the Lockport Rotary again for its generous gift to fund the construction and placement of two Little Free Libraries in Lockport. The first one was installed this week on Washburn Street on the site of the Imagine Community Gardens. The second one is on Ontario Street. For the expert construction of both LFLs, sincere gratitude goes to Paul Lyons who gave generously of his time and carpentry talents to benefit this worthwhile community outreach project.
Pendleton
The first NFRC's first Little Free Library (LFL) was installed at the Pendelton Town Hall on December 13, 2017. The project leaders were long-time NFRC members Renney Staples and Judy Bradbury. Paul Lyons generously donated his time and carpentry skills to build the LFL. A special thank you to all involved.
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