SHREWSBURY, Mass. - A group of residents are breaking ground and making way for a kinder, more inclusive Shrewsbury using a little library. 

"It has become so much more diverse," said Elizabeth Hylton, one of the organizers. "But despite the diversity, (the community is) still very divided." 

The group said they hope to achieve a more inclusive community, one book at a time. 

"Even me," said Deborah Linder, the library sits on her property. "I am learning every day to get more information about different cultures, different foods." 

It is called the anti-racism little library and it sits on Main Circle. It aims to help stop racism in the community through literature, education and open conversation.

"That is what anti-racism is," said Hylton. "If you're not teaching your kids or your community to be anti-racist, then there is a chance they are going to learn to be racist." 

What You Need To Know

  • Group of residents started an anti-racism little library in Shrewsbury
  • It is a resource for families to learn more about different races and cultures
  • Mainly focuses on diversity in children's books
  • The library is now open on Main Circle 

 

The library operates off of the "take-one-leave-one"-policy.  It has books promoting diversity and inclusion for every age group, but especially for children.

"I think a lot of time with children's literature, we get stuck in what we remember as kids," said Sanam Zaer, who is also involved with the project. "They were mostly featuring white children, so I never really saw myself represented in literature." 

Kelly Warren was also a part of getting the library started. She is raising biracial children. She knows how important it is for kids to see people who look like them in their every day lives, especially at such a young age. 

"My daughter recently came home from school and said no one looks like her," said Warren. "So to have the kids be able to go to a library where all they see are children who are all races, all languages, it is a great feeling."

Warren said she hopes the library helps show her own children they can grow up to be whatever they want.

"If you can see her you can be her," Warren said. "It is the same thing with the boys. It is great to see people of all different races and ethnicities in our communities like police officers, teachers and doctors." 

The library opened Friday and organizers said they hope this is just one of the many they plan to set up all across town.