Photo: Greater Lowell Technical High School
TYNGSBOROUGH, Mass (WBZNewsRadio) - A group of students at Greater Lowell Technical High School have teamed up to create and install nine Little Free Libraries across the school's four communities.
Little Free Library is a non-profit that aims to build community, inspire readers and expand access to literature through a global network of Little Free Libraries built by volunteers.
The idea came from teacher Kara Tansey-Theall, who learned about the Little Free Library movement during a trip to California last year. She returned to campus with a newly formed mission to purchase a couple of kits for the incoming ninth grade class.
One of those libraries now sits in front of the home of Design and Visual Communication instructor, Sonia Dickson.
"That summer, I was able to experience the joy of stewardship," Dickson said. "I met many families from my neighborhood and they were excited and happy about having the little library as a place to bring their children to get them excited about books."
From there, the excitement around the libraries took off.
First a survey was conducted among the faculty and staff at the school to see who might be willing and able to be a steward for future libraries in the area. Nine staff members signed up to host the student creations.
The project took students from all different specialties. Carpentry students constructed the wood frames, while painting and design students painted each library in colors, specifically chosen by the stewards. Design and visual communications students also created artwork for each library, also picked out by stewards.
When it came time to fill the libraries, students held a book drive, and collected more than 1,000 books.
Other Little Free Libraries built by GLTHS students are located at:
94 Berkeley Ave., Lowell
376 Butman Road, Lowell
66 Jefferson Road, Dracut
329 W. Meadow Road, Lowell
116 Coburn Road, Tyngsboro
915 Varnum Ave., Lowell
50 Malwood Ave., Dracut
38 Laplume Ave., Lowell
240 Thorndike St., Dunstable
126 7th Ave., Lowell
"It is our hope that the Little Free Libraries provide more children and adults in our communities with easy access to books and this encourages reading and learning," said Superintendent Jill Davis.
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