Austin College and Jefferson Elementary Initiative
Austin College and Jefferson Elementary are celebrating the opening of a neighborhood Little Free Library on Thursday, April 27, 2017 at 4:15 p.m. at the corner of Lee Street and Brockett Street in Sherman. The Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that aims to inspire a love of reading, build communities, and spark creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world. Through Little Free Libraries, millions of books are exchanged each year, profoundly increasing access to books for readers of all ages and backgrounds. Alpha Phi Omega, a national co-ed service fraternity at Austin College, will install the Little Free Library outdoor bookcase. The bookcase will house children’s books and will be free to anyone passing by.
Alpha Phi Omega’s president Aneesa Vaidya and the fraternity executive board have worked tirelessly to put this initiative together to benefit the neighborhood and increase literacy awareness. According to Vaidya, “We are implementing this initiative to launch a Little Free Library in our own backyard to be enjoyed by the youth community in the area. We hope this program will bring awareness to the need for increased accessibility to books, not only for this neighborhood, but also throughout the Texoma region.”
This project and the initial book donations are being funded by a grant bestowed on Alpha Phi Omega. The Little Free Library is available to anyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The box will be checked regularly, and the book supply will be replenished as needed through a monthly fraternity wide book drive. The Austin College students of Alpha Phi Omega hope it will become a favorite stop for neighbors of all ages and for anyone who would like a book.
This endeavor has received support from the Sherman community, particularly the principal of Jefferson Elementary School, Tammy Macdonald, M.Ed., who has been a close contact and a great partner in making this happen. According to Macdonald, “This is wonderful way to make a positive impact on our community and to foster a love of reading. By providing easy access to books, the Little Free Library at Austin College is providing the support that Sherman ISD appreciates in building better readers.”
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, international study, pre-professional foundations, leadership development, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 40 percent of students representing ethnic minorities. A residential student body of approximately 1,275 students and a faculty of more than 100 allow a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. The College is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. Founded in 1849, the College is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.