Inside the Salvation Army Fox Cities, Wis., Social Services Center, a two-tiered cart loaded with books sits beside the food pantry door. The cart carries a homemade sign, “Our Little Library.”
Books for adults are on the top. Children’s books are on bottom, where little hands can easily reach.
“It’s known as Our Little Library since all of the volunteers here helped make it possible,” said Amy Johnson, the volunteer who spearheaded the mobile library effort in the summer of 2022.
At the time, clients had been asking about available reading material. The local library was being remodeled, and the only places people could access free books were in little libraries set up outside of people’s homes.
Inspired to get books into clients’ hands, Amy wondered if a little library could be created at The Salvation Army. The reaction from the panty volunteers, a dedicated and creative group, was an overwhelming “yes!” They set to work fixing up an old cart that was kept in a storeroom just collecting dust. One volunteer power-washed and reconditioned the cart, while another designed the “Our Little Library” sign.
The mobile library has proven to be a big success, said Kristal Knudtson, Fox Cities development director. Clients can return the books to the cart after they read them, or they can keep them for good.
“It’s really exciting. Whether you are younger or older, you know what it’s like to receive a book,” Kristal said. “People are taking these books, reading them and loving it.”
Cost is a factor for many families.
“So many people are living paycheck to paycheck. Many people cannot afford to buy books,” Kristal added.
The cart is often wheeled into the cafeteria for people in the noon meal program.
“Reading is food for the mind and will last a lifetime,” said Pat Leigl, social services director for The Salvation Army in the Fox Cities. “Get a parent engaged in reading to their child, and that will be with that child for the rest of their life.”
Books not only come from pantry volunteers but from other groups and organizations like the American Association of University Women (AAUW), which now donates books to the center after they hold their own book sales.
Getting books in languages other than English is helping the center reach clients coming in from other countries. They recently acquired some children’s books written in Spanish. They are looking for books written in Chinese and other languages to serve the immigrant population in the community.
Amy said she sees a lot of smiles from people who stop by Our Little Library for a book and, during the holidays, an ornament as well.
She added, “Those books bring much joy.”
