COVINGTON, Ky. — The Kenton County Public Library on Wednesday unveiled an artistic way to inspire literacy through new, colorful book benches.

Artists were given free artist reign from a crop of thirty beloved books.

“We gave artists a choice of about thirty different titles and they could choose the title that best suited them and we let them pretty much run with it,” said Dave Schroeder, Kenton County Public Library executive director.

Six benches, weighing over 180 pounds, will soon be placed throughout Covington. Local artists made these book-like benches come to life with illustrations representing famous books.

A grant from the city of Covington helped get this book bench project up and running. Claire Long, one artist crafting the benches, said this became a fun project over seven weeks. Her book of choice to illustrate was Charlotte’s Web.

“I think it’s a book about tolerance, which is why I’ve got rainbow chickens on here, and also about animals and how we can all live together. And it’s really about people helping each other. It’s a wonderful story,” Long said.

Schroeder and Long said it’s a fun way to showcase artwork while encouraging people to read.

“It’s unique. Different cities have different kind of art installations that have become symbols of their city. Lexington, for instance, has their horses,” Schroeder said.

Schroeder and others would love to see books become a fun art staple people know Covington by. There are hopes to get more benches built and crafted soon.

“We did this for the community,” Schroeder said. “Our first branch as a system was in Covington in 1904 and so we have very deep roots here in Covington, so this was a great partnership to start out in Covington and see where it goes.”

City leaders say people will soon be able to curl up on a book—benches should be placed throughout Covington in May.