Baldwin High School students have built and painted a dozen Little Free Libraries that will soon appear throughout the community, turning a classroom project into a neighborhood literacy initiative aimed at expanding access to books.
The initiative, called “Little Libraries, Big Baldwin,” is a partnership between the Baldwin School District and the Baldwin Civic Association. The program, launched April 24 during National Library Week, falls under the 2026 theme “Find Your Joy.”
The project builds on a community-based Little Free Library effort that has continued throughout Baldwin for the past five to six years, according to Elissa Kirchner, co-chair of the civic association’s beautification committee.
Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization based in St. Paul, Minn. According to its website, the organization’s mission is “to be a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Library book-exchange boxes.”
The libraries operate through a “take one, leave one” honor system that allows community members to donate books while taking another book for free.
Planning for the initiative began in October with the goal of unveiling the project during National Library Week in April, Gabriella Franza, the district’s assistant director of instructional programs, said.
About 40 students in woodworking and art classes participated in the project. Students in the woodworking program handcrafted the libraries, while Art 3 students painted and decorated them with original designs.
Franza said students largely directed the artwork and overall appearance of each structure.
“The students had complete creative control over the design and artwork,” Franza said. “We wanted to make sure they stayed on theme, but other than that, the designs were entirely student-driven.”
The initiative was incorporated into the Art 3 curriculum, allowing students to apply classroom skills through a community-centered project focused on literacy, public engagement and community book-sharing.
“The Art 3 students began painting the Little Libraries in March,” art teacher Meredith Smith said in a release sent to the Herald. “They continued to work on them in class and after school. The students worked so well together and took great pride in their work.”
Franza said the project grew out of the construction and design pathway within the high school’s STEAM Academy, which emphasizes hands-on learning tied to community needs. She said students were encouraged to apply woodworking, design and collaboration skills in ways that extended beyond the classroom.
“These students are going to be able to see work that they created in their community, and I don’t know if there’s anything more powerful than that,” Franza said.
The project launched April 24 at the high school with a presentation and symbolic handoff ceremony highlighting student craftsmanship, community partnership and hands-on learning.
Woodworking teacher Vinny Leis said the initiative allowed students to contribute directly to their hometown.
“It’s all about giving back to the community, and this project really shows that students living in the community enjoy giving back to their hometown of Baldwin,” Leis said in the release.
Kirchner said about five of the libraries have already been installed throughout Baldwin, including near elementary schools, along Grand Avenue, at the train station and at the community garden. Additional locations are planned across the community.
The civic association plans to continue placing the libraries throughout town as part of a broader effort to encourage reading and community connection. Kirchner said more than a dozen Little Free Libraries have been installed across Baldwin over the past five years through support from students, teachers, residents and volunteers.
Kirchner said the initiative is entirely volunteer-driven and supported largely by community book donations.
“They love seeing them, contributing to the library and finding something new to read,” Kirchner said.
Kirchner told the Herald she regularly visits the libraries to maintain and restock them, adding that the steady exchange of books shows residents are actively using the libraries.
She said different locations are stocked with different genres, with some libraries featuring more children’s books and others geared toward adult readers.
“I’m seeing different books being put into the different ones that I’ve already installed throughout the years,” she said.
Some of the libraries have expanded beyond books. Kirchner said one location includes a seed exchange for gardeners, while two others feature stick-and-ball exchanges for dogs.
The library project is one of several hands-on community initiatives completed through Baldwin schools’ construction and design programs. In previous years, students have created lifeguard stands for Jones Beach and benches for local public spaces.
“One by one, this is going to add to our beautiful community, and so I applaud you,” she said, praising the work of the students.
Kirchner said the project reflects the sense of community she hoped to create when she first envisioned Little Free Libraries throughout Baldwin years ago.
“I hope our neighbors feel the love of Baldwin that I do, that it takes a community,” she said.
