SUGAR APPLE BOOKS has collaborated with the Union Island Lions Club to launch a project that aims to improve early access to reading and improve literacy in the Southern Grenadines.

The Free Little Library Project, is a building initiative to create two lending libraries that launches on Kickstarter. This fund seeks to build two structures – Little Free Libraries – that will house books for the communities they are placed in. Anyone can add and borrow books, then return them when they are finished. Books can also be donated at any time. It is meant to help promote reading and be available in areas with high visibility and traffic. The first structure will be located in Hugh Mulzac Square at Clifton. The second will be located in Ashton, close to the Mary Hutchinson Primary School. The structures will be built by a local carpenter and the funds raised will be used for building materials, official registration, aluminium signage, and the cost of initial stock and shipping of books, a release states.

The biggest challenge for this project is to increase community involvement and ensure continued support. It is crucial that the two little libraries get monetary support to get long-standing structures built and books donated.To date, the project is 36% funded and has 10 backers on the Kickstarter platform. It has a goal of being 100% funded by October 1 and a completion date of December 2021. There is also a locally planned book drive to ensure the libraries are well stocked.

“I became interested in creating this project on my home island Union Island when I realised that the old public library that I grew up with is no longer in service. As a writer, I’m a huge believer in the power of literacy in affecting positive change in a community. Having easy access to books is one of the cornerstones in making this happen”, said Valdene Mark, Founder of Sugar Apple Books and Creator of the Union Island Little Library Project.

Contributors to this campaign may visit the project page on Kickstarter.