Project Proposal: The Little Free Library

This is a project proposal that I devised for my Technical Writing I class, as an assignment, and for the Rotary Club to receive funding for the Little Free Library. The Little Free Library is a free book exchange movement and a nonprofit organization--its aim is to promote literacy on a national and international level. My goal for this project was and is to inspire my college community to read, promote the value of books, and bring the community together through literature. The proposal was reviewed by the president of Rotary, in which he approved to fund $430 for the purchase of the little library and its materials. 

To: Dr. Laurie Cella

From: Kayla A. Morales

Date: October 11, 2016

Subject: Project Proposal for Little Library Book Exchanges

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this proposal is to receive funding for the production of two Little Free Libraries, which are free book exchanges, in the Shippensburg community. It will be particularly located at two local supermarkets, Wal-Mart and Giant. This will provide free books in the area as well as spread and promote literacy.

SUMMARY:

Dr. Laurie Cella asked the Technical Writing I class to brainstorm creative ideas on something we would like to see changed or added on or off campus. As someone who is an avid reader and who enjoys books, I thought a creative idea would be to implement free book exchanges in the Shippensburg community that will be affiliated through the Shippensburg Public Library.

I firmly believe that reading is highly imperative, because it helps develop the human mind, allows people to discover new things, and it creates imagination. Mostly importantly, words are the building blocks of life, therefore making reading essential in society. Additionally, because I feel passionate and strong on the importance of reading, I thought a great idea would be to involve the Shippensburg area in the Little Free Library movement. The movement focuses on book exchanges; community members are allowed to pick a book from these free libraries and exchange it with a new read. 

INTRODUCTION:

The Little Free Library is a movement that is focused on promoting literacy on a global and national level; Tod Bol of Hudson, Wisconsin first devised the project in 2009. Bol built a birdhouse of a one-room schoolhouse, in honor of his deceased mother who was a teacher, and filled it with books for the public to read and exchange. This attracted a lot of attention in the neighborhood and it soon caught the public’s eye worldwide, thus turning it into a social enterprise.

These book exchanges are a good way for people to share their love of reading, inspire others to read and bring unity into the area. The main objective of Little Free Libraries is to share a book, take a book and exchange a book. There are many philanthropic and nonprofit organizations that support and fund book exchanges, similar to Little Free Libraries, in local and international areas. For example, there is the East End Book Exchange, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that is dedicated to either selling books or exchanging reads. BookMooch is an online nonprofit organization that sees itself as a “community for exchanging books,” and is very charitable because it helps variety of charities, such as with children hospitals, Library fund, African literacy, and many more.

The book exchange movement began in the late 19^th century and early 20^th century. For example, Andrew Carnegie supported approximately 2,509 free public libraries. Also, a former librarian, by the name of Miss Lutie Stearns, stocked nearly 1,400 books to free public libraries in the Wisconsin area between 1895 and 1914. Book exchanges are located in many coffee shops, public areas, and in many third world countries. There are some countries that provide Little Free Libraries in poor neighborhoods, in order to support and promote literacy in the region.

In an article by Lynnea Chelstrom called “A Little Free Library in a Zoo,” shares the story of a zoo employee who implemented a free library in the institution in April of 2015. It was aimed to create a friendly environment for families who could casually read during their visit at the zoo. Since its implementation, it has attracted over hundreds of adults and children. Kathryn Frazier, the employee that started the book exchange movement at the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Rhode Island, has estimated that over 700 books had found new homes within months of its opening. In January of 2016, Frazier reported that more than 1,300 books had found new homes and all were donated from her own personal collection.

As of June of 2016, there are over 40,000 Little Free Libraries in all the 50 states in America as well as in 70 countries around the world. Book exchanges create a friendly and positive environment, and it also helps the environment. According to Greenpeace, a Canadian Spruce tree can produce up to 24 books, which means that with only a couple of dozen book exchanges, it can help save a tree. In some cities in America, like in Tempe, Arizona are offering up to $300 rebates to homeowners who are willing to put up a Little Free Library on their property.

Reading provides language acquisition and a free-learning environment. These book exchanges will help bring awareness to the Shippensburg community on the importance of extensive reading. Extensive reading does not only challenge a person’s critical thinking skills, but it will also provide a practice in automaticity of word recognition, decoding symbols, and strong reading comprehension. Reading also helps a person attain a wider gain in oral and written skills. People who read more are more likely to make accurate and educated inferences as well as properly distinguish between fact and opinion.

The ability to read has positive economic consequences. Adults who are more advanced or better than average readers, are also higher earners and are more likely to have a high-paying job or salary. There is an increase in the demand of proficient literacy, especially in businesses, industrial jobs, armed forces, and in everyday life; the lack of a proficient reading ability impairs a person to function well in modern society.

Having a Little Free Library would be a beneficial thing to have in the Shippensburg community. Book lovers and avid readers will have a chance to share their favorite reads to people in the area, and it will also help encourage people to read more for both adults and children. More importantly, it will raise awareness and enforce people to recognize the importance of literacy and how it can be a valuable and constructive skill in a person’s life.

This memo will include and discuss the project tasks, experience, task schedule, project budget, and references.

PROJECT TASKS:

I will perform the following tasks to determine the best approach in implementing Little Free Libraries at two local areas in the Shippensburg community, in which will hopefully be funded by the Rotary Club.

1.     Research

Research will be gathered from a variety of different secondary sources to support the positive effects and benefits of book exchanges. For example, testimonies, case studies and articles will help support this reasoning.

The research will also provide the importance of spreading literacy and how it can help students, adults and teenagers in their daily life. It will also prove that book exchanges will be a great and wonderful opportunity to peacefully unify a community, through the love of books and reading.

2.     Garnering Support

Gathering local support, such as from the Shippensburg Public Library, Friends of the Shippensburg Public Library, the Rotary Club will be able to make this idea, of enforcing book exchanges, into a reality.

With the help and guidance of the local library, it will assist and offer specialized expertise advice in regards to the library field and books. The director of the library, Jody Cole, will be providing her knowledge on the library field as well as represent me in the Rotary Club, since she is a Rotarian, and pitch the idea to them for further assistance in this project. Also, Paula Yasenchak, who is the president of Friends of the Shippensburg Library, will garner support from the group to help build as well as provide books for the book exchanges. 

3.     Book Donations

In order to receive book donations from Friends of the Shippensburg Public Library, a grant application must be filled. In the grant, it will request for Friends to provide approximately 60 books, 20 to start off with and 40 to be held in reserve, in case the libraries must be refilled.

The Shippensburg Public Library’s Book Nook provides the purchase of books in the community for everyone in town. If the grant is approved, the Book Nook will help supply the books for the two book exchanges.

4.     Setting Up the Book Exchanges

If the funding is approved for the purchase of two Little Free Libraries, the goal is to build it at two local areas that attract an array of people. The most prominent and well-known places in the Shippensburg area are Wal-Mart and Giant. The supermarkets will provide the location of these book exchanges; therefore it will appeal to many diverse groups in town.

The Little Free Library sells premade models for people to purchase; it comes in a variety of styles to choose from. The “Cozy Cottage” model will be chosen; it provides a fine craftsmanship and can be personalized. It has a trusted Amish construction, a durable and weatherproof SuperDeck roof, made from plywood, and allows for the freedom to finish the Library with any kind of paint or stain. With the help of Friends, library volunteers, and student volunteers, will aid in putting together the model.

5.     Prepare For Final Report

A final report will be prepared, in which I will explain further in depth information about the Little Free Library, as well as how it will be beneficial to the Shippensburg community. Additionally, it will explain the importance of literacy, and how book exchanges will promote and encourage the citizens of Shippensburg to read more. This report will include testimonies and vital research to further analyze book exchanges beneficial effects. 

6.     Maintaining the Little Free Library

In order to make sure that the book exchanges are used properly, and to ensure the safety of it, it will be my responsibility as a “steward” to watch over the Little Free Library in Shippensburg. I will take charge and do my best to build a sense of shared ownership of the book exchanges, promote it to the area, and to stock the free libraries when necessary.

TASK SCHEDULE:

TASKS	September 12th	September 26th	October 17th	November-December	December	May of 2018
Task 1: Research
Task 2: Garnering Support
Task 3: Book Donations
Task 4: Setting Up the Book Donations
Task 5: Prepare for Final Report
Task 6: Maintaining the Little Free Library (under my supervision)

BUDGET:

For this proposal, the incur cost will be approximately $526.89 to produce two book exchanges, which also includes the cost of materials. The following is an itemized budget for the proposed Little Free Libraries.

§  Two “Cozy Cottage” Model:  $450.00 ($225.00 per model from Little Free Library store).

§  Exterior Stain: Approximately $26.94 (Kilz Solid Color Wood Stain).

§  Paint: Estimated price of $36.04-$39.96 (depending on the paint brand).

§  Painting Materials: $9.99 (five-piece set of Presa Premium paintbrushes).

EXPERIENCE:

Ø  Kayla Morales: Primary Researcher

I am a Shippensburg University student that is studying History, with a concentration in Public History, and minoring in Technical Writing and Professional Communications. Also, I have studied various courses in history that have enhanced my critical thinking skills, writing skills and analytical skills. Additionally, I have taken a course in Human Communications, which focused on enriching my oral presentational skills. I have volunteered in numerous institutions, such as Shippensburg Historical Society, Fashion Archives and Museum of Shippensburg University, and at Shippensburg University’s Lehman Library Archives and Record Management. Through my volunteer positions, I have acquired the knowledge of record managing, accessioning, PastPerfect Museum software, exhibition work, and preservation. Therefore, my involvement in the public history field has exposed me to different kinds of innovative projects for the public and community to enjoy. This makes me knowledgeable on public and community projects, especially for the Little Free Library book exchange movement.

Ø  Jody Cole: Director of Shippensburg Public Library

Jody is in charge of overseeing all aspects of the local library in Shippensburg. Through her knowledge and expertise in the public library field and in books, it makes her qualified to be apart in this movement. Also, she is involved in the Rotary Club of Shippensburg Pennsylvania, which consists of community volunteers that focus on providing philanthropic services, promoting peace, and providing goodwill in the area.

Ø  Paula Yasenchack: President of Friends of the Shippensburg Public Library

Paula is the president of Friends, which is a separate nonprofit group that helps support the public library with fundraising, advocacy, and special events. Additionally, Friends also work on various kinds of literary projects, such as online book sales, Summer Reading Program, Books for Babies, Library Egg Hunt, book discussions, and many other important projects. With Paula’s expertise in library and book related projects, her knowledge will be a great asset for the Little Free Library movement and for providing reading materials for the book exchanges.

REFERENCES:

Buckman, John. "BookMooch Overview." BookMooch, http://bookmooch.com.
     Accessed 28 Sept. 2016. 

Chelstrom, Lynnea. "Little Free Library in a Zoo." Little Free Library,
     Moonlight Design Studios, littlefreelibrary.org/. Accessed 4 Oct. 2016.

Davis, Glenn. "Why Is Reading Important?" Learn to Read, Dec. 2014,
     http://www.learn-to-read-prince-george.com. Accessed 28 Sept. 2016. 

Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia. World Book, 2014. EBSCO eBook 
     Collection, eds.b.ebscohost.com.proxy-ship.klnpa.org. Accessed 4 Oct.
     2016. 

Haller, Sonja. "Phoenix McDonald's to open first Little Free Library." The 
     Republic, 29 Sept. 2016, www.azcentral.com. Accessed 1 Oct. 2016. 

Rao, Ch Srinivasa, and Karayil Suresh Babu. "Importance of extensive reading in language learning." Language In India2016: 251. Literature Resource Center. Web. 5 Oct. 2016.

Nations, Daniel. "What is a Book Exchange?" About Tech, 26 Mar. 2016,
     webtrends.about.com. Accessed 1 Oct. 2016.