Carroll Community College Education students have created an opportunity for children in the community to nurture their love for reading through a new project called Little Free Libraries.

Little Free Libraries are small kiosks that are located outdoors along the Washington Road Community Trail. They offer a way to share books with children and adults. Visitors to the libraries can take out books or add books that they have finished for others to read. Books do not have to be returned, but users are encouraged to leave a note in the books they take back to these libraries.

A dedication and ribbon cutting took place on Dec. 1, 2015 at 2:30 p.m. at Carroll’s Little Free Library site, located at the entrance to the trail behind the college’s Child Development Center. All participating community partners were recognized by the Early Childhood Education Club, with special thanks given to Penguin Random House for their support of this new community resource.

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) Club at Carroll identified four locations along the WRC Trail to place the libraries to encourage parents and children to visit the trail. The kiosks are easily accessible to the college, the YMCA, the Youth Services Bureau, and Robert Moton Elementary School/Judy Center. The natural settings provide families the opportunity to enjoy physical activity on the trail with books in hand on their way home. Several groups collaborated on the installations, including the WRC Trail Committee, the ECE Club, Student Education Association, Service-Learning Club and the Youth Services Bureau.

The impetus behind the project was a grant proposal written by the ECE Club to Penguin Random House, which generously granted the award. The ECE Club, along with the college Student Education Club and Education Department, are responsible for maintaining the libraries.

“We are thankful to Penguin Random House for their foresight in understanding the value of these new libraries,” said Carole Williamson, program coordinator of Early Childhood Education. “We are thrilled at starting this project and to work collaboratively with our community partners.”

College President Dr. James D. Ball said: “The efforts of the Early Childhood Education Club and partnering organizations are to be commended. This project makes a wonderful statement about the importance of access to books for our youth. As a result, education and a love for learning become possible at an early age.”

College Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Jan Ohlemacher said: “I am proud of the hard work and dedication demonstrated by our students through this project. Education students are certainly taking the lead in nurturing a love for learning. The young children visiting the kiosks may very well be taught by our graduates, who will one day serve as new teachers.”



The Little Free Libraries combine a love for reading with a love for the outdoors.

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