Two little free libraries created to promote reading
NASHUA, NH – Girl Scouts are making sure the children in their community can enjoy reading just as much as they do. The Girl Scout Juniors in Troop 10090 have created two Little Free Libraries as part of their Bronze Award project – the highest honor a Junior Girl Scout can earn.
Troop leaders Kristen Schmidt and Carey Walters said they’d been talking to the girls about the Bronze Award ever since they bridged from Brownies to Juniors. This fall, in the start of their second year of Juniors, many of the girls – avid readers themselves – noticed that many others don’t have easy access to books they enjoy. Girl Scout Cate Marvin said, “We want to make sure that everyone is able to recognize the magic of reading books.” Having seen other little libraries throughout Nashua, they wanted to add more.
The troop worked with the United Way, who organizes such libraries in Nashua. They quickly decided to create and fill two libraries – one at New Searles Elementary School, where three of them go to school, and another at the Nashua Public Health Department. They conducted book drives at their schools and churches, got donations from friends and neighbors, and collected a minivan full of books.
The girls then constructed the library boxes, learning about different types of wood and building materials, how to safely use power and manual tools, and the mathematics and teamwork that make a successful product. Schmidt said they had fun collaborating on the final design and paint job. Both libraries were installed in June.
The girls now applying for their Bronze Award include Audrey Starr, Anna Bouchard, Maggie Schmidt, Becca Walters, Vanessa Abbott, Kayleigh Warneka, and Cate Marvin. All recently graduated from fifth grade.
As girls progress through the Girl Scout Experience, they are eligible to earn the Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards where they choose a Take Action project that will make the world a better place. The Gold Award, open to girls in grades 9-12, is the most prestigious award in the world for girls, and the most difficult to earn. Girl Scouts unleashes the G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ in every girls preparing her for a lifetime of leadership.
About Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains: Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains is recognized throughout New Hampshire and Vermont as a leading expert on girls. Our Girl Scout Leadership Experience is a one-of-a-kind leadership development program for girls, with proven results. It is based on time-tested methods and research-backed programming that helps girls take the lead—in their own lives and in the world. Through our exciting and challenging programs, Girl Scouts not only participate but also take the lead in a range of activities—from kayaking, archery, and camping, to coding, robotics, financial literacy training, and beyond! Serving more than 10,000 girls throughout New Hampshire and Vermont, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Visit www.girlscoutsgwm.org.
