Kansas City, Kan., bus bus riders can now grab a free book for their commute at some of the major transit stops.
Kansas City, Kan., Public Library has placed five new Little Free Libraries at stops along the State Avenue 101 Connex line – 7th and Minnesota Downtown Transit Center, 47th St Transit Center (Indian Springs), KCKCC, 78th and State eastbound stop (Walgreens), and Village West and Parallel Parkway stop (Legends Walmart).
These libraries were officially launched on May 31 with a ribbon cutting held at the 7th and Minnesota location.
The Little Free Libraries are stocked weekly with books and comics specifically earmarked for the project. The highest quality books that make sense for the community are chosen from the recently weeded library collections and donations, a library spokesman said. The comics are purchased to match full-run holdings available in the library’s Hoopla comics product.
All items are free for any community member to take and enjoy. Though the library will keep the Little Free Libraries stocked, the community is also encouraged to follow the Little Free Library organization’s motto of “Take a book; leave a book.” KCKPL hopes the Little Free Libraries will encourage community members to share old favorites as well as discover new ones, the spokesman said.
The Little Free Libraries are part of KCKPL’s ongoing efforts to engage the community outside the library’s walls. These efforts also include the online eCommunity, new cellphone checkout option, and Library in the Park event.
A partnership with UG Transit allowed for the libraries to be placed at the bus stops. The libraries were built by students and staff of the Kansas City Kansas Community College Technical Education Center.
– Story from Kim Woolery, Kansas City, Kan., Public Library