If you’ve been to a community park or playground in Lebanon County the odds are you’ve passed a Little Free Library whether you know it or not. The Little Free Libraries are a “take a book, share a book” free book exchange located throughout the county where anyone is free to come by and check out the literature that’s been donated. While the libraries are supposed to be a book exchange, capable of repopulating books left there by generous people passing by, these libraries are replenished and maintained monthly by volunteers Kristen Watts and her son, Andy Tobias.
Kristen and Andy began volunteering with the United Way and Little Free Libraries in the summer of 2020. They visit each library once a month in winter months and twice a month in the summertime. During these visits they replenish the libraries with diverse literature for readers of all ages. They also take note of the library’s condition, and whether it might need repaired. What makes Kristen and Andy donate their time to caring for these libraries? The answer is simple. “Andy has always loved books and I’m an avid reader,” Kristen said, “so it enables us to share our passion for books, especially with young readers. Andy loves to announce to anyone near the little libraries that there are new books to check out. We like to say, ‘Today’s Readers, Tomorrow’s Leaders.’”
Kristen has been a volunteer in the Lebanon County community throughout her professional career, serving on boards of local non-profits and supporting their fundraising efforts. “After I retired, I wanted to continue in a volunteer capacity with organizations and with activities that Andy and I could do together.” Kristen said. When it comes to what these libraries and books mean to kids in Lebanon County, Kristen has witnessed it firsthand. “We see kids’ faces light up when they open the door to the little libraries and see the books,” she said, “kids today grow up in such a high-tech environment, which has its advantages, but I also think it’s important to provide them with an outlet to be ‘disconnected,’ hold a book in their hands and read something that they selected.”
One of the United Way of Lebanon County’s key focus areas is removing barriers to learning for our most vulnerable children. Accomplishing that goal, it starts with the volunteers like Kristen and Andy who experience joy in being a part of the solution to break down those barriers to learning and provide opportunities for children in Lebanon County. Kristen said of her time volunteering, “We’re proud to represent the United Way and play a small role in providing kids with opportunities to explore books and develop their reading skills.” If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering with the United Way of Lebanon County, please reach out to us at 717-273-8144 or fill out a volunteer form on our website under volunteer opportunities.