SCOTTSBLUFF, NE, (October 7, 2021) – Little Free Libraries are a global phenomenon. The small, front-yard book exchanges number more than 100,000 around the world in over 100 countries-from Italy to Brazil to Japan.

Now, a new Little Free Library located in the circle drive at Educational Service Unit #13 will join the movement to share books, bring people together, and create communities of readers. 

Educational Service Unit #13’s Special Education Department opened the Little Free Library in  September as a service learning project to promote reading and literature for children in the community.  Community members can pick up a book, as well as leave a book if they choose.  

“Our department completes a service project each year to support youth, parents and teachers in our  community. This last year, our team completed two key projects. We helped provide resources for school  hygiene projects and completed our Little Free Library. All members of the Special Education  Department had a part in the completion of this project. Our Sped planning team planned for the  attainment of the library and worked to identify a location. The entire staff has a handprint on the  decorations of the library. Each member painted a piece of the garden scene. Now, our team is collecting  books for the library and our Meridian school students will stock and maintain the library. We hope that  this will provide literature access to all students in our community,” said Dr. Pam Brezenski, ESU 13 Special Education Director.  

Little Free Library (LFL) is a nonprofit organization that inspires a love of reading, buildings community,  and improves book access by fostering neighborhood book-exchange boxes around the world. LFL  received the 2020 World Literacy Award and has been recognized by the Library of Congress, the  National Book Foundation and others for its dedication to expanding book access for all. To learn more,  visit LittleFreeLibrary.org. 

Educational Service Units of Nebraska were created by the Nebraska Legislature in 1965 as a way to  provide cost-effective services to public school districts. ESU 13 provides services to 21 member school  districts in the counties of Banner, Box Butte, Cheyenne, Dawes, Deuel, Garden, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts  Bluff, Sheridan, and Sioux. For more information, please visit www.esu13.org.