Big News: We’re Opening Two Little Free Libraries this Summer
Photo credit: Village Preservation Blog.
By Allison Yates
As an organization that celebrates movement and literature in Chicago and supports libraries, bookstores, and other small businesses, we couldn’t be more thrilled to announce that our Special Projects Committee is planning to launching not one, but two Little Free Libraries in Chicago this summer!
Little Free Library, a nonprofit based in Minnesota, seeks to expand book access through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Library book-exchange boxes. Little Free Library book-sharing boxes are meant to be accessible to all at all times and offer diverse reading material that represents the diversity of readers.
Tell me more!
We’re working in collaboration with the Chicago Parks District’s Lincoln Park Teen Woodshop and a teen artist from Noble Street College Prep to craft the book-sharing boxes and paint and design them in theme for Read & Run Chicago. We’re aiming to inspire teens to continue engaging with the literary community after they finish the project, as well as give them the opportunity to showcase their work publicly.
Once the book-sharing boxes are crafted, designed, and painted, we’ll register and apply for a charter—and then be ready to hold our Grand Opening Ceremonies!
Where will the libraries be?
We’re opening two Little Free Libraries on the properties of two community members, one in the North Side neighborhood Lincoln Park and the other in the Southwest Side neighborhood Gage Park.
When will they open?
We’re aiming to open by late Summer 2026.
How can I support?
We’re calling for the Read & Run Chicago community to support our endeavors in Lincoln Park and Gage Park in any way they’re able!
Here are ways you can support this project:
Donate painting supplies for our teen artist.
Donate gently used books about Chicago and/or movement (running, cycling, walking, sports, etc.) to fill our libraries. We’re also looking for books in Spanish.
Donate a new book from our Bookshop.org wishlist! This allows you to purchase a book online and have it sent directly to our mailing address. This not only helps us stock the libraries with books in Spanish, about Chicago, and about running, but also supports us monetarily.
Donate monetarily—between the charters, painting supplies, and compensation for the teen artist, we’re estimating $450-500 in startup costs.
Volunteer at or attend the Grand Opening Ceremonies—dates and festivities to be announced!
How: You can send monetary funds via Zelle (Allison@readandruntours.com), PayPal, or Venmo (@readandruntours), drop off books at any upcoming event, or mail them to:
Read & Run Chicago
c/o Allison Yates
5315 N Clark Street, MB 222
Chicago, IL 60640
What’s next?
Keep an eye out on our newsletter for updates and announcements about our Grand Opening Ceremonies—and tons of fun community activations once the libraries are live.
Interested in finding a Little Free Library near you? Check out the map of registered Little Free Libraries.