The Office of Senator James Skoufis (D-Hudson Valley) and stakeholders celebrated the installation of a new ‘Little Library’ in Walden’s Wooster Grove Park on Tuesday, June 8. The project, a partnership between Senator Skoufis, the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (NASRCC), Josephine-Louise Public Library, and elected officials to encourage district-wide literacy, includes the completed installation of six other ‘Little Libraries’ throughout New York’s 39th Senate District in recent weeks.
Little Libraries are small wooden boxes that are constructed in pedestrian-friendly community hubs and act as spaces where residents can take a book and share a book. NASRCC donated materials, expertise, and their time to create the custom-built libraries, which were decorated by local volunteer artists and filled with books donated by businesses and community members. Working closely with these partners, Skoufis was able to complete this project in its entirety at no cost to taxpayers.
“I am grateful to our colleagues at the Josephine-Louise Public Library for reaching out to participate in this project,” said Senator Skoufis. “Walden kids and families will now have boundless opportunities to engage with books on a walk to and from the library or while exploring in the park, helping them to develop a life-long appreciation for reading.”
“On behalf of the Josephine-Louise Public Library, I’d like to thank Senator Skoufis, the Carpenters’ Union, and the many volunteers who delivered our new Little Library yesterday,” said Library Director Ginny Neidermier. “Though it was pouring, we were all smiles. We were especially surprised to receive the library pre-packed with donated books for all ages! The Little Library is a much-needed and colorful addition to the village, and it will serve as a small but powerful reminder of what libraries mean to a community like ours.”
Walden’s Little Library is fully functional and has been registered with LittleFreeLibary.org, which includes a free smartphone app that will allow anyone to easily find Little Libraries on-the-go, map routes between them, save their favorites, and more. Residents are encouraged to visit and enjoy a free read in Wooster Grove Park.
Special thanks to the NASRCC (Matthew Ross), Carpenters Local Union 279, Josephine-Louise Public Library (Ginny Neidermier, Director of the Josephine-Louise Public Library), and local officials (John Ramos, Mayor of the Village of Walden) for bringing this installation to fruition. Additional libraries have been installed at sites in Chester, Haverstraw, Marlborough, Newburgh, Washingtonville, and Woodbury.