An official opening for the 13th Little Free Library (LFL) is scheduled for Dec. 9 at 10 a.m., the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands announced Wednesday.
The newest library is located at Alvin McBean Ball Park in Anna’s Retreat on St. Thomas and is part of CFVI’s relaunch since the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the public who wish to attend are asked to complete the RSVP form, according to the press release.
“CFVI is so excited to reestablish our LFL program following the disruptions of the pandemic. We are committed to enhancing the lives of the children, families, and all who live in the Virgin Islands and we believe that supporting literacy and providing Little Free Libraries for our community is a valuable way to do this,” said CFVI President Dee Baecher-Brown.
In addition to adding the new LFL, 12 other Little Free Libraries have been refurbished, updated and restocked over the past year. The library at Canegata Playground in Christiansted had to be completely rebuilt, the press release stated.
“The return of the LFL program would not have been possible without William ‘Danny’ Daniel, who is responsible for the Foundation’s ongoing maintenance of the USVI’s Little Free Libraries,” said Baecher-Brown. “And a special thank you to Assistant Commissioner Vince Roberts of the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation for helping us make this new library a reality.”
To date, CFVI has distributed 21,027 books throughout the USVI and provided more than $95,000 in funding to provide books for the territory. The foundation also serves as the Library of Congress’ Center for the Book for the territory. Little Free Library is a program of CFVI’s Center for the Book, the release stated.
USVI Little Free Library Locations
St. Croix
- Frederiksted Health Clinic – Sponsored by First Bank and built by the members of CHANT
- Canegata Playground in Christiansted – Sponsored by First Lady Yolanda Bryan
- Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts, 10 Strand Street, Frederiksted
- Alexandra Gutting, Q824+R8 Fort Louise Augusta Rd., Christiansted
St. John
- Powell Park in Cruz Bay – Sponsored by Princess Cruises Community Foundation
- Coral Bay (By the mailboxes close to the Fire Station) – Sponsored by the Coral Bay Community Council
- Coral Bay (By Calabash Boom Affordable Housing mailboxes) – Sponsored by the Coral Bay Community Council
St. Thomas
- Havensight Mall (In between Smoking Rooster and Sunglass Hut) – Sponsored by Princess Cruises Community Foundation
- Oswald Harris Court (In front of the Community Center) – Sponsored by Rock City
- Emile Griffith Park – Sponsored by Princess Cruises Community Foundation
- Roosevelt Memorial Park – Sponsored by First Lady Yolanda Bryan
- Scoops & Brew (Crown Bay Marina) – Sponsored by Scoops & Brew
- Alvin McBean Ball Park (Anna’s Retreat)
To view the Little Free Library world map, visit littlefreelibrary.org/map.
“We encourage all members of the community to get involved by sharing books or volunteering to help maintain our existing Little Free Libraries,” said Baecher-Brown.
For more information about sponsoring or requesting a Little Free Library at a specific location in the U.S. Virgin Islands, contact CFVI Grants and Programs Director Beth Nuttall, at bethn@cfvi.net.
Additional information:
The LFL program, a “take a book, share a book” free book exchange, launched in 2019 in the USVI and has since spread throughout the territory.
Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that inspires a love of reading, builds community and sparks creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world. Through LFL book exchanges, millions of books are exchanged each year, profoundly increasing access to books for readers of all ages and backgrounds.
