Neighborhoods get new mini-libraries

Antonia Richardson, 11, left, and Averiana Rosser, 4, check out books Wednesday on Elizabeth Street. Volunteers built mini-libraries to put up in public housing neighborhoods on Elizabeth Street and East Elm Street. The libraries were sponsored by the Housing Authority of Jefferson City.
Antonia Richardson, 11, left, and Averiana Rosser, 4, check out books Wednesday on Elizabeth Street. Volunteers built mini-libraries to put up in public housing neighborhoods on Elizabeth Street and East Elm Street. The libraries were sponsored by the Housing Authority of Jefferson City.

When Jacob Witherspoon opened the door to his neighborhood's new little library, he pulled out a copy of "Treasure Island."

"I read this in third grade and really liked it," the high school sophomore said.

Two little libraries, built by children attending First Presbyterian Church's Vacation Bible School, were installed this month in the 1000 block of Elizabeth Street and the 900 block of East Elm Street.

"I love the box they brought in; there will be a lot of books now and less walking (to the library)," Witherspoon said.

About 60 children collected more than 300 books and more than $200 during the Bible school, Director Megan Weber said.

"The kids were glad to share their books," she said.

The downtown church has emphasized community missions more in the last several years, she said. This project was a way to involve the children.

Woodworker and church member Tom Holt helped the children complete the project.

"This is something they can point to and say 'I did something for my community,'" he said.

The mothers along Elizabeth Street and the surrounding streets have joined together in recent months to organize activities for the neighborhood children, and the donated green boxes set beside their mailboxes will help.

"There's nothing for the kids to do," said community leader Angela Whitman. "Reading is fundamental; it's good and it works."

Anita Witherspoon, an ordained minister, will often read to the children in impromptu settings after school. Neighbors will bring blankets and snacks after school, Whitman said.

In the future, Witherspoon said she would like to coordinate a specific time to read regularly to the children.

For the last year, Whitman and other moms have been campaigning for community support through the Housing Authority, Lincoln University, the Boys and Girls Club of the Capital City, Solid Rock Family Church and other organizations.

Once a month, they take the children on a field trip, often to the university or a park.

"We want to make things consistent, so they have something to look forward to," Whitman said.

They were very pleased with the church's donation of two little libraries and hope other churches or organizations would donate a few more to the area, they agreed.

"We want people to know we live here; we have values and we want want better for our children," Whitman said. "We're building community."

Families like Brittany Coleman and her daughter Hayvn, 11, are also excited about the access to new books.

"We walk several times a week to the library," Coleman said. "I aim to change that, now."

Also, the Colemans have books of their own they plan to donate for others to read.

Although the little libraries were built with children in mind, Housing Authority Executive Director Cynthia Quetsch said she was glad to hear adults were interested in sharing their books, too.

"We have lots of readers," Whitman said.

The little library is designed to be self-sustaining, as people borrow books to read, they should exchange them with books for others to read.

With several residents without access to personal transportation, "this is an excellent way to make sure kids have access to books," Quetsch said.

"We are a community fighting for positive change for our kids," Whitman said.