Sturdy wooden boxes painted in Tiger black and red hold treasures for readers of all ages in Gillett.
Five Little Libraries were hammered together this spring, then installed the first week after school let out as a way to keep kids reading over summer vacation.
Three more Little Libraries went up last week.
Each library contains books for toddlers to adult. The goal of the project is to offer books free of charge to whomever wants to read. Individuals are invited to return the book when they’re through reading it and to add other books to the Little Library, keeping its offerings fresh.
According to Kathleen Tracy, Gillett Elementary School reading teacher, the use of Little Libraries can increase reading activity by students over the summer months, whether they are being read to or reading themselves, in order to decrease summer reading loss.
Tracy said many Gillett students experience reading loss over the summer, which is noticeable when they return to school in the fall. Research shows that summer reading loss is especially a problem for children living in poverty and those who are already not reading at grade level, she said.
The books for adults are included in the Little Libraries as a way to encourage reading by all ages.
“We want kids to see their families reading,” Tracy said.
The first Little Libraries were placed at Zippel Park, Jone Sports Complex, the memorial lot, Gillett Elementary School and Seneca Park. Three were added last week, at Honey Park, Rolling Hills and Oconto River Park in Pulcifer.
By the end of the summer, 17 Little Libraries should be up.
The start-up books placed in the libraries were books discarded from the Gillett Public Library and Gillett School District libraries, along with books donated by community members and teachers. Each started with 45 books. They can each hold 60 to 70 books.
Tracy said book donations are appreciated. Books can be brought to the elementary school or placed directly into one of the libraries.
During a June check of the Little Libraries, Tracy noticed many books were taken without an exchange being made. Three of the libraries had less than 10 books in them, she said.
“I’m glad people are using them, even if they don’t have an exchange. People are reading then,” she said.
She said getting books to keep the boxes refilled doesn’t seem to be a problem. Once people hear about the program, they’re eager to donate, she said.
The elementary school’s reading committee came up with the idea for the project while brainstorming ways to reduce summer reading loss. Tracy, chair of the committee, had seen Little Libraries in Madison neighborhoods.
The box’s design was chosen because it was easy to build, looks clean and can hold a lot of books. Kids books are placed on the bottom, and adult books are on the top shelf. The boxes are waterproof, and the books inside have stayed dry, even in downpours.
Tracy worked with the Gillett City Council to determine placement of the libraries. She plans to contact local churches to be hosts, also, once more Little Libraries are ready to be placed.
Tracy and a friend, Tom Fritsch, built and installed the libraries and maintain them.
Tracy and Fritsch donated the money needed for materials to build four libraries, and the elementary school staff donated the money needed for another. An $855 grant from the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region’s Trifecta II Fund supplied the remaining funds to construct 12 more Little Libraries.
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