The 14th Little Free Library (LFL) in the territory has opened at Joseph Aubain Ballpark in Frenchtown on St. Thomas as part of the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands’ continued efforts to expand the program.
The newest LFL is sponsored by Kentucky Highway Industries, according to the press release.
“We extend our heartfelt thanks to the employees of Kentucky Highway Industries, who have a tradition of supporting a charity in the community where they are hosting their annual convention,” said CFVI President Dee Baecher-Brown. “We warmly welcome them to the U.S. Virgin Islands and are delighted they chose to work with the Foundation to make this Little Free Library a reality.”
An official opening, dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Friday, Feb. 16. Staff from CFVI, Kentucky Highway Industries, Marriott Frenchman’s Reef, and the USVI Sports, Parks and Recreation Department and members of the public attended. As part of the ceremony, the library was stocked full of books and a member of each organization spoke briefly about the importance of having the LFL available for children and families in the community, the press release stated.
The LFL in Frenchtown is the second new one established in the past few months. CFVI added one at Alvin McBean Ballpark last November. The foundation has also refurbished, updated and restocked 12 other Little Free Libraries over the past year, the release stated.
“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 Baecher-Brown.
To date, CFVI has distributed 21,393 books throughout the USVI and provided more than $97,000 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 Ballpark (Anna’s Retreat)
- Joseph Aubain Ballpark (Frenchtown) – Sponsored by Kentucky Highway Industries
To view the Little Free Library world map, visit littlefreelibrary.org/
“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.
