TOWSON, MD—Nine Baltimore County public schools and one Baltimore County community will receive a special delivery in a few short days – the delivery of Little Free Libraries and hundreds of books to share with students and their school communities.

The libraries are being installed thanks to the 2023 Read in Color Grant, an inaugural grant program from The Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc.

According to the Little Free Library website, “A Little Free Library is a ‘take a book, share a book’ free book exchange. They come in many shapes and sizes, but the most common version is a small wooden box of books. Anyone may take a book or bring a book to share.”

“We couldn’t be more ecstatic to have been selected as one of three global ambassadors for the Read in Color initiative by the Little Free Library organization,” said Dr. Heather Wooldridge, the foundation’s associate director and steward of seven Little Free Libraries throughout the region.

The 2023-2024 grant recipients are as follows:

• Battle Grove Elementary School – Principal: Kristi Gallier, Project Coordinator: Kelly Greer
• Catonsville High School – Principal: Matthew Ames, Project Coordinator: Kandice Medley
• Highfields Homeowners Association – Project Coordinator: Leslie Beavers, serving the Catonsville Community
• Holabird STEM Middle School – Principal: Yolanda Booker, Project Coordinator: Harry Wujek
• Martin Boulevard Elementary School – Principal: Katie Whisner, Project Coordinator: Alexis Windwer-Geppi
• Meadowood Education Center – Principal: Karl Radday, Project Coordinator: Erin Kempa
• Oakleigh Elementary School – Principal: Cynthia Metheny, Project Coordinator: Rebecca Yackley
• Owings Mills High School – Principal: Terri Moses, Project Coordinator: Courtney Yates
• Southwest Academy Magnet School – Principal: April Franklin, Project Coordinator: Brandi Thomas
• The Chatsworth School – Principal: Andrea Derrien, Project Coordinator: Laura Wurzbacher

Each grant recipient will receive a Little Free Library, a post or legs to “plant” their library, an official charter plate with unique charter number, a Read in Color launch packet, a starter box of books, and the opportunity to select $500 worth of additional diverse books.

Additional information is available on the Team BCPS blog here.

Photo via Team BCPS