MANDAN, N.D. (AP) - Residents have started a project to bring the popular Little Free Libraries book exchange stations to all six elementary schools in Mandan.
There are 13 Little Free Libraries in neighboring Bismarck, and now the book swapping program will be brought across the Missouri River.
The group Leadership Bismarck-Mandan 2018 is leading the effort as a way to enhance the community and promote literacy, the Bismarck Tribune reported.
With the motto “Take a book, return a book,” the small, house-like structures contain various genres and books for all ages. Little Free Libraries started in 2009 by organization founder Todd Bol, of Hudson, Wisconsin. The book-sharing stations have spread across the country and worldwide since then.
“Even though we’re doing them at the elementary schools… it’s not just for kids,” said Amber Larson, a group participant. “It just is a really great location for them to be, because they’re in residential areas. It’s really meant to be for the entire community, for people young and old.”
The group partnered with Mandan Public Schools and Friends of Morton Mandan Public Library. Funding for the libraries and their upkeep was provided by Feil Orthodontics of Bismarck.
“During the school year, kids have access to school libraries and books, but I think in the summer it will be a great way for them to keep getting new books and keep finding new books, and just go to their neighborhood school and pick up a book and start reading,” said Mandan Public Schools Superintendent Mike Bitz.
Ribbon-cutting ceremonies at the elementary schools are tentatively scheduled for May.
___
Information from: Bismarck Tribune, http://www.bismarcktribune.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.