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Date: 6/14/2023
CHICOPEE — Four free little libraries have been placed throughout Chicopee with the help of parent leaders from the Holyoke Chicopee Family and Community Program, through the Lending Libros Project.
The completion of the project was celebrated by the Holyoke Chicopee Family and Community Program on June 6 at Grove Park in Chicopee. Children and families gathered to hear local author Tzivia Gover share her children’s book “How to Sleep Tight Through the Night.” The inclement weather quickly moved the event inside; however, children were still able to share their nighttime dreams and create their own books.
Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Grant Coordinator Christine Zaskey Cullen explained that the Holyoke Chicopee Family and Community Program has a partnership with Family First in Boston, which encourages these types of community projects.
Zaskey Cullen said the parents took the lead on this and chose to do the Lending Libros Project. The goal of the project is to provide easily accessible books that engage children, assist parents and encourage reading and learning.
The four Lending Libros book bins in Chicopee can be found at Lincoln Grove Park, 224 Broadway St.; Sheridan Mini Park, 1 Taylor St.; Fruit Fair at 398 Front St. and Super Saver Free Dry Laundromat at 199 Exchange St.
Zaskey Cullen said children and families can come and take or leave a book, free of charge. The locations will be monitored and restocked by the parent leaders.
She went on to say that they are accepting book donations.
The Lending Libros book bins will be registered as free little libraries, Zaskey Cullen shared. The goal is to have these locations up permanently.
As the grant coordinator, Zaskey Cullen extended gratitude toward the parent leaders for taking on this project and is hopeful to expand and add even more free libraries throughout Chicopee.
“I am proud of the work the parents are doing in promoting literacy,” she said.
The Lending Libros Project is funded by Families First and the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.
For more information on the Lending Libros Project, visit linktr.ee/lendinglibros.