The City of Tempe will continue to provide rebates to community members who install Little Libraries, which are small roadside boxes filled with books that are placed in neighborhoods for community use. City Council approved funding for the next fiscal year at the March 16 Work Study Session. Residents or non-profit organizations that purchase, install and register a Little Library will be rebated up to $300.

“Little Libraries are part of a worldwide movement to increase accessibility to books in our neighborhoods,” said Councilmember Kolby Granville, who spearheaded the project along with Councilmember David Schapira. “The books in these libraries extend the reach of the Tempe Public Library, encouraging literacy, fostering the love of reading and building a sense of community.”

The Little Library concept is Tempe’s version of the national Little Free Libraries program, which has sparked an international phenomenon resulting in more than 50,000 neighborhood libraries and millions of annual book exchanges. The City of Tempe will be recognized by the national Little Free Libraries organization as a Little Free Library “City of Distinction” at the upcoming April 27 Council Work Study Session beginning at 4:00 PM.  Residents who are currently hosting a Little Library are invited to be a part of the award presentation as well.

City Council approved a Little Libraries pilot program last year. Since then, thirty libraries have popped up around the city and more than $7,000 has been rebated to residents.

For rebate applications, more information and guidelines, visit www.tempe.gov/LittleLibraries.

Source: City of Tempe