Detroit Little Libraries, Halfway to 313, Hosts June 9 Fundraiser

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Jun 01, 2016, 03:58 ET

DETROIT, June 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Detroit Little Libraries – the grassroots campaign promoting reading and a sense of community in Detroit through the Little Free Library – is halfway to its goal of planting 313 little libraries in the city.

To mark the occasion and continue the momentum, Detroit Little Libraries will host a fundraiser, Viva Libris! A Night for Detroit Little Libraries, Thursday, June 9 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Tangent Gallery, 715 Milwaukee Ave., in the New Center area. Many community leaders who support literacy programs are expected to attend.

The event will feature hors d'oeuvres and three musical acts, including jazz vocalist and storyteller Jahra Michelle McKinney, 18-year-old songstress Mia Green and local rock band The Exhaust Tones. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at: http://vivadetroitlittlelibraries.eventbrite.com/

During the evening, patrons will have an opportunity to sponsor a Little Free Library – including one of the 13 very special libraries transformed by local artists and recently displayed at the Mobile Homestead at the Museum of Contemporary Art. These libraries will soon be planted in the community.

Detroit Little Libraries will also offer a Detroit-themed silent auction featuring a night's stay at the Inn on Ferry Street; a package for two at Westin Book Cadillac Detroit; a tour for 20 and 1-year membership at Pewabic; a Detroit Library with books by local authors; a Detroit History Tour; gift cards to several local restaurants; tickets to sporting events; family passes to the State Fair; massages; bottles of wine; Detroit-made jewelry; doggie day care; yoga with kitties; locally made chocolates; flowers and homemade ice cream.

"Local merchants generously donated these items so we could build more Little Free Libraries in Detroit, and we greatly appreciate it," said Kim Kozlowski, founder of Detroit Little Libraries.

A Little Free Library is a doll house-size box that is placed near a home, small business or community garden. It is filled with books that anyone can take, or leave. Detroit Little Libraries planted the first Little Free Library in Detroit less than 18 months ago, and numerous partners and generous donors have helped plant thousands of books in 150 in locations throughout the city.

The need is great: There is only one book for every 37 preschool children in Hamtramck, and one for every five children in Detroit's University District neighborhood, according to a recent study.

Also, many Detroit schools no longer have libraries, and some public library branches have closed or reduced their hours. Transportation and financial issues also can hinder access to reading materials.

The grassroots campaign has prompted the city of Detroit to begin working the little libraries into 40 parks slated for renovation over the next 18 months. Meanwhile, communities such as Romeo, Rochester Hills, Grosse Pointe and Pleasant Ridge are installing little free libraries in neighborhoods.

"We think the planting of 150 little libraries in Detroit with our partners has helped renew and encourage interest in reading, and helped build community spirit," said Kozlowski.

About Viva Libris!

Detroit Little Libraries is a grassroots campaign working in partnership with the national Little Free Library, a 501(c)(3), to promote reading and community in Detroit through the take-a-book, leave-a-book movement known as the Little Free Library.

Our partners include Rx for Reading Detroit, Detroit Rotary, Detroit Kiwanis, Detroit SOUP, Detroit Bikes, Detroit Parks, Detroit Public Library, The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press, General Motors, FCA, The Mobile Homestead at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, Grand River Creative Corridor, The Tangent Gallery, First United Methodist Church of Birmingham, Community United for Progress, Barefield DesignWorks, Novi teachers and several individuals, including many Eagle Scouts and B'Nei Mitzvah children.

http://www.detroitlittlelibraries.org

http://www.littlefreelibrary.org

https://www.facebook.com/events/927347724052297/

Contact: Kim Kozlowski, Detroit Little Libraries, 313-595-4845

SOURCE Detroit Little Libraries