YORK COUNTY — Studies show that two out of every three children living in poverty have no books to call their own.
The York-Poquoson Social Services (YPSS) wants to change that.
For April’s Child Abuse Prevention Month and May’s Adult Abuse Awareness Month, the YPSS partnered with York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office (YPSO) to bring three Little Free Libraries to the community.
Little Free Library is a non-profit organization that works to promote reading and expand access to reading materials across the globe through book exchanges.
You may have seen these little libraries that resemble mailboxes in yards or in front of buildings.
On Monday, April 26, YPSS unveiled two new Little Free Libraries in front of their building at 301 Goodwin Neck Road.
Candace Mickelborough, YPSS Assistant Director, said that the department works on a project every year to draw attention to the April and May prevention months.
This year, the department decided to bring Little Free Libraries to the community.
YPSO Deputy Jessie Taylor, along with another deputy who chose to remain anonymous, built and donated the little libraries.
One of the little libraries is specifically for children’s books while the larger one is dedicated to adult reading books, such as cook books and caregiver tips sheets.
These will give the community an opportunity to take a book and leave one in its place. However, those who won’t have a book to give, can still take one.
Monday’s ceremony included a ribbon cutting from County Attorney Justin Adkins, his four-year-old daughter, and Sheriff J.D. “Danny” Diggs.
Now with the two little libraries up, YPSS hopes to promote the benefits of parents reading to their children. YPSS also wants to emphasize that studies have shown that reading for adults can aid in preventing stress and depression, as well as possibly slow the progression of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
“Our hope was to inspire a love of reading and spark creativity among our youth,” Mickelborough said.
The project will remain an ongoing collaborative effort between YPSS and YPSO, as they continue to refill the little libraries.
“A lack of books should never be an issue for a child,” Mickelborough said.
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