Books have the power to transport us, and two years ago, I found a way to help bring that magic to my community by rejoining the Pocatello Rotary Club. Since then, we’ve been working on an exciting initiative: building and stocking Little Free Libraries.
Little Free Library, a nonprofit organization based in St. Paul, Minnesota, shares our passion for literacy and connection. Their mission—to build community, inspire readers, and expand book access through volunteer-led book exchanges—aligns perfectly with our goals.
Our vision is simple yet powerful: a Little Free Library in every community and a book for every reader. We believe everyone deserves the chance to discover a book that speaks to them—regardless of time, space, or privilege.
That vision is already becoming a reality. On May 15, our club celebrated a major milestone with a Facebook post: “The first of our Little Free Libraries is in, at Ellis Elementary. Garrett Goldade made sure it was installed correctly—it’s never going anywhere.” The project was brought to life by Ms. Kirsten Bybee’s second-grade class, who painted and decorated the library with enthusiasm. Rotarians joined the dedication, cheering on the students as they stocked it with books.
But this is just the beginning. Next, we’re expanding to Lookout Point in downtown Pocatello and Bonneville Commons, bringing free books to even more neighborhoods.
None of this would be possible without the incredible support of our partners. In January, I shared a special thanks to Aubree Denker from Americorps, an Idaho State University public health grad student who helped distribute 191 books, worth over $3,000, to Little Free Libraries across Pocatello. Her dedication didn’t stop there. By April 8, she had helped distribute 217 more books, bringing her total to 408 titles placed into the hands of eager readers.
The momentum keeps growing. Thanks to a generous donation from Norton Publishers through the Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICfL), we’ve added hundreds more books. And through Just Serve, volunteers have collected and distributed an assortment of children’s books, ensuring that young readers have plenty of options.
Books truly do have the power to spark imaginations, open new worlds, and bring people together. Through the efforts of the Pocatello Rotary Club and our amazing partners, we’re turning that power into action—one Little Free Library at a time. The journey is just beginning, and I can’t wait to see where the next chapter takes us.
