The Wilkinsburg School District is excited to announce the installation of a new Little Free Library outside Turner Intermediate School, providing students, families, and community members with free access to books year-round.
The Reading Champions Program, which takes place each spring at Wilkinsburg, encourages third-grade students to become champions of reading by dedicating 20 minutes each day to reading - the same length as a period in a hockey game. Through literacy-focused programming and community partnership, the initiative helps students understand hockey but, more importantly, inspires a lifelong love of reading among young learners.
To further expand access to books, the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation and U.S. Steel partnered with Little Free Library to establish free book-sharing locations throughout the Pittsburgh area. These libraries provide free, 24/7 access to reading materials and help to ensure that books are available to families beyond the school day.
Wilkinsburg's Little Free Library is located on the right side of Turner Intermediate School and is available to all members of the community. The library features a variety of books covering topics such as hockey, steelmaking, S.T.E.M. education, and more.
The concept is simple: take a book, share a book. Anyone may borrow a book from the Little Free Library at no cost. Neighbors, students, families, and passersby are encouraged to browse the collection and take home a book to enjoy. Community members are also welcome to donate books by placing them in the library for others to discover.
By increasing access to books and encouraging reading beyond the classroom, the Little Free Library serves as a valuable resource for Wilkinsburg students and families while supporting literacy throughout the community.
Thank you to the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, U.S. Steel, Little Free Library, and everyone who helped make this opportunity possible. We also thank the individual who donated books to help stock the library and ensure it is ready to serve the community.
Community members are encouraged to stop by Turner Intermediate School, explore the collection, and discover their next great read!