The Little Free Library and Project 27K Bring Books To Fresno

Have you seen a small box of books in the middle of a park and wondered what those books are doing so far from a bookshelf and so close to a swing set? Often these book boxes are part of the national Little Free Library organization. It’s a program where you can take a book and return a book—an honor system book rental.

Finally, the Little Free Library has launched in Fresno, and its organizers have city-sized plans for it!

This is my hand holding a cupcake at the Little Library Launch at Bitwise Industries Jan. 6. It was awesome, both the cupcake and the event.

A Birthday Wish Comes True

What’s your idea of a great birthday? Cake? Shopping? A nap? For NaAsiaha Simon, her dream birthday involved 27,000 books. Not books for herself, but for an entire city.

“When I thought of how I was going to spend my 27th birthday, I wanted to do something different. For the last 26 years, God has blessed me with everything I’ve wanted—with my career, my family, my friends, my relationships… so when I turned 27 I wanted to give back,” explains NaAsiaha.

Project 27K founders Monisha Edwards and NaAsiaha Simon pose with a Star Wars-themed Little Free Library box

To achieve her book goal, she partnered with Monisha Edwards of Truth Branding Agency to launch Project 27K, an effort to collect books for the youth of Fresno and its surrounding areas. Amazingly, NaAsiaha’s already met her goal of raising 27,000 books by her 27th birthday. Currently, she has 27,000+ books waiting to get into the hands of the children of Fresno, and she’s still taking donations.

Investing in Books Invests in Fresno

Last week, the Little Free Library of Fresno held its launch party at Bitwise Industries. I was there, eating cupcakes and discovering the big hearts behind this fantastic organization. It was an evening of community and hope, and it made me feel so lucky to live in Fresno.

Little Free Library Fresno’s goal is to have a library box in every neighborhood. With the intention of having all of the libraries within 10 miles of a school, they’re partnering with local schools to have teachers give kids free reading lessons once a month.

Explains Monisha, “We’re very big on fundamentals and reading and we just wanted to give back to the children. We wanted to make sure they have the resources they need to read and learn, even if they don’t have money or transportation to a local library.”

Some of the books donated to Project 27K

A completed library box, painted by the Fresno Silverback Gorillas Motorcycle Club

Sponsoring a Free Library Couldn’t Be Easier

Because of NaAsiaha and Monisha’s hard work, it’s ridiculously easy for community members to put up a library box in their neighborhoods, and totally free. The Little Free Library isn’t limited to neighborhoods that can afford to invest in building a little library—Fresno’s program is available to all communities in town, and to people of all ages.

Since the libraries are constructed from old newspaper boxes donated by the Fresno Bee, there’s no start-up cost for sponsors. Thanks to a partnership with Home Depot, you don’t even have to pay for the paint to decorate it. And, of course, Project 27K provides the books and keeps the library stocked. Basically, if you want your neighborhood to have a library, you just need to volunteer to put it there and keep an eye on it.

Even if you’re unable to sponsor a library box, you can still help by donating books. Maybe you’re embarrassed that you own three copies of Twilight, or your child has outgrown their Dr. Suess collection. Here’s your chance to de-clutter and do good. Of course, you can donate new books as well. Little Free Library Fresno accepts books for any reading level and any age, from infants to adults.

9-year-old Jaden asks founder NaAsiaha Simon if it’s true you can trade books for free with the Little Free Library. It’s true!

Pastor D.J. Criner meets with Little Free Library founders Monisha Edwards and NaAsiaha Simon to bless the launch

Isn’t it refreshing to be part of a city that’s full of people who want to give back? No town is perfect, but people like Monisha and NaAsiaha are working hard to fix the rough spots and make Fresno a better place for everyone. Now’s a great time to get involved and support the Fresno Little Free Library. It’s easy and free, and NaAsiaha and Monisha have 27,000 books they want to get out of their cars and into the community. What are you waiting for?