Exciting News for Columbia: Community Mini Libraries Have Arrived!

Exciting News for Columbia: Community Mini Libraries Have Arrived!

Hello Columbia! If you’ve stepped outside lately, you probably noticed that the weather has been absolutely gorgeous. With sunny skies and temperatures flirting around 80°F during the day and dropping to a cozy 45°F at night, it’s a perfect time to enjoy all that our vibrant community has to offer! And speaking of our community, there’s some thrilling news that just rolled in!

Unveiling of the Mini Libraries

On October 10th, Columbia witnessed a heartwarming event as the City launched the “Columbia Streams Art” public art program. This initiative kicked off with the unveiling of the first in a series of community mini libraries located at St. John’s Baptist Church and Preparatory School. Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, along with District One City Councilwoman Tina Herbert and Pastor Dr. Jamey O. Graham, were on hand to celebrate this exciting development.

During the unveiling ceremony, Mayor Rickenmann shared his enthusiasm, stating, “As we were thinking of ways to make impacts in our neighborhoods not only through art, we wanted to make sure we left something that would help develop creative thoughts in our young people’s minds.” What a wonderful sentiment! It’s always uplifting to see initiatives that not only beautify our community but also encourage literacy and creativity for the youth!

What Are Mini Libraries, Exactly?

You may be wondering what these mini libraries look like. They are creatively designed to resemble newspaper vending machines, which have been vibrantly painted by local children attending Columbia Parks & Recreation after-school programs, alongside seniors from the Lourie Senior Center art classes. Isn’t that fantastic? This combination of youthful energy and seasoned wisdom adds a unique touch to each mini library!

Giving Back to the Community

The excitement doesn’t stop there! These charming little libraries will be stocked full of books that have been lovingly donated by members of the Columbia community through a recent book drive at Columbia’s City Hall. Books will soon be available for everyone to enjoy!

Where Can You Find Them?

Be sure to mark your calendars because the first wave of these mini libraries is being placed at some fantastic locations around town! Here’s where you can find them:

• Nay’s Early Learning Academy | 4901 Monticello Rd.
• Got Milk Cereal Bar | 3730 B North Main St.
• Saint John Preparatory School | 3404 West Beltline Blvd.
• Lourie Senior Center | 1650 Park Circle

Can you imagine stopping by any of these spots and picking up a new book? What a delightful way to encourage literacy in our community, especially during this beautiful season!

Looking Ahead

This is just the beginning! Following this delightful debut, plans are underway to place over 20 mini libraries throughout Columbia. It’s an ongoing celebration of art and literature that aims to enrich our neighborhoods and foster creativity among all age groups.

Columbia, let’s embrace these mini libraries and support our community’s efforts to expand literary access! Whether you’re a parent looking for books for your kiddos or someone simply wanting to dive into a good read, these mini libraries offer something for everyone. So grab your sun hats and head out after enjoying that lovely October weather — it’s time to discover what stories await you!

Happy reading, Columbia!