Little Free Libraries Coming to Oakland Park Thanks to Library and City Catalyst Grant
The City’s Ethel M. Gordon Oakland Park Library has been awarded a $2,375 grant from the City Catalyst Grant Program, a joint venture of The Florida League of Mayors and Business Watch, to add five Little Free Libraries, creating a network of library boxes throughout the City.
Little Free Libraries is a national nonprofit initiative, that places library box structures in neighborhoods, providing the opportunity for all residents to discover a personally relevant book to read which is not limited by time, space, or privilege. Residents can take a book for free and leave a book behind for another person to read. Books can be for any age group.
The five grant-funded Little Free Libraries will be in addition to another five boxes that were previously planned. The Ethel M. Gordon Oakland Park Library has reached out to homeowners and neighborhood associations to offer placement of the Little Free Libraries. Interested parties can fill out an application that shows the location of the Little Free Library and a commitment that the individual and the association they are affiliated with will install, maintain, and monitor the Little Free Library.
Friends of the Ethel M. Gordon Oakland Park Library will partner with homeowners and neighborhood groups to provide the initial book stock and subsequent refills if needed. The library will purchase the boxes through the Little Free Libraries organization to ensure uniformity. The boxes are made of a composite, weather-resistant material and come with a sturdy mounting post.
Recognition for City Catalyst Grant recipients will be provided during the Florida League of Mayors Business Meeting on Wednesday, August 9th, at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek resort in Orlando, in conjunction with the Florida League of Cities Annual Conference.