07/31/2026
So excited to be collaborating with Partners in Education to design a free little library! 📚🩷
Stay tuned to see the creative process...
We are excited to announce our Little Free Library Project! Please see below for details.
Partners in Education to build little free libraries for schools
Partners in Education (PIE) staff and volunteers will build and install little free libraries at several Toledo schools this summer to further its mission of boosting literacy in underserved neighborhoods.
The Toledo nonprofit, established in 1994, provides high-impact literacy intervention to accelerate reading achievement for students in kindergarten through fourth grade. Its literacy program, Mentors in Toledo Schools, operates in 14 Toledo-area schools.
PIE is preparing for a new school year with a project that further supports Toledo youth by expanding their access to books. It will install seven little libraries near school entrances, stocked with free books and reading tips for parents, so students can easily find books to read all year long.
The project is possible thanks to a generous grant from the John Henry Eldred Jr Foundation, which will cover the cost of materials and building the libraries with Inspired Lumber Workshop in late July. PIE is also collaborating with a group of local artists who will paint the libraries before they are installed in August.
“Access to books should never be a barrier to learning,” said Brooke Schlageter, the group’s executive director. “Many of the children we serve may not have books at home, and these little free libraries will help change that. By making books freely available to all children in our partner communities — not just those enrolled in our programs — we're helping children develop stronger literacy skills, gain confidence and continue learning beyond the classroom.”
Schlageter asked the schools that she collaborates with if they wanted a little library. Seven schools requested one: Birmingham Elementary, Deveaux Elementary, Escuela SMART Academy, Keyser Elementary, Leverette Elementary, Old Orchard Elementary, and Queen of Apostles School.
Like other little libraries, students are encouraged to take a book and leave a book, but they do not have to donate one if they do not have one. The goal is to get more books into students' hands and inspire a love of reading, Schlageter said.
She said her team is excited to see the designs created by the artists working on the project.
Partners in Education suggested focusing on themes like books, literacy, the joy of reading, Toledo pride, community and other related ideas.
The artists who will paint the libraries are Jessica Ball, Thomas Craley, Dean Davis, Chris Rodriguez, Camille Siebenaler, Matt Taylor and a team from Brass Monkey Tattoo Co.
About 15 staff members and volunteers will help build the little libraries this week with support from Inspired Lumber Workshop.
“This project reflects the very best of the Toledo community: a shared commitment to helping children succeed,” Schlageter said. “We're thankful to our partners, supporters and school leaders for recognizing the importance of making books more accessible to every family.”
For those interested in donating books to fill the little libraries, an Amazon wishlist is available on PIE's website.
To learn more, call 419-242-2122, email [email protected] or visit partnerstoledo.org.
