FGV Smart Start started the Little Free Library program as a way to promote reading for children, literacy for adults and libraries around the community.

It’s a “take a book, return a book” gathering place where people share their favorite literature and stories. In its most basic form, a Little Free Library is a box full of books where anyone may stop by and pick up a book (or two) and bring back another book to share.

Vance County United Way, through its United We Read, United We Succeed program granted funds to Smart Start to start this effort in Vance County.

There are four of these libraries in the community, at the Henderson Family YMCA, Aycock Recreation Complex, Shiloh Baptist Church, and the corner of Chestnut and Granite streets.

The two Little Free Libraries in Granville County are at the Granville Athletic Park.

In Franklin County, three libraries are at Franklinton Park, Joyner Park in Louisburg, and the Bunn Children’s Park.

The mission is to promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges, and to build a sense of community as we share skills, creativity and wisdom across generations.