Weeden Elementary unveils Florence City Schools' first Little Free Library

FLORENCE, Ala. — Weeden Elementary has launched a new resource to get books in the hands of students, and it's a first for Florence City Schools.

In March, Weeden unveiled its Little Free Library outside the school's entrance. Little Free Libraries allow children to take or exchange books, promoting literacy for students in the community.

Weeden Local Reading Specialist Rachel Graves said a group of students were inspired to have one of their own after learning about them in class and seeing one in person during a field trip to Spring Park in Tuscumbia.

Graves said, as a reading specialist, it makes her proud to see students collaborating for the good of the entire community. "It makes me feel excited to offer the ability for students to have books in their hands at home and at school that they can read together as a family," she said. "Reading is important for all students and adults and children, and so the ability to have that plus something that families can do together is huge for us because we love our community that Weeden is in, and we love Florence, and we're just excited to offer that to everyone."

To find more Little Free Libraries, you can download an app that lists locations worldwide, including Weeden's.

By Piers Dalton