LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Book exchange boxes known as Little Free Libraries allow Kentuckians to pick up books for free and donate books. The organization has shared over 400 million books in 121 countries.
“Reading was so fundamental to my life and my success, I can’t imagine going through life without it,” shared Judge Susan Gibson as she flips through a children’s book that was recently sent to her for donation.
The Jefferson County Circuit Court judge has held her position for almost 18 years. She says when she started taking guilty pleas she was surprised how many people said they couldn’t read and write easily.
“I found that to be stunning. That so many adults who walked in here couldn’t read, and how limiting it was for their life and how it probably contributed to the circumstances that got them here because they weren’t employable,” she remarked.
About 15 years ago, Gibson met Kim Michele Richardson, a Kentucky author known for her New York Times Best-Selling book, “The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek.” The historical fiction novel tells the story of a courageous librarian in eastern Kentucky who works to give books to impoverished women.
Using their expertise, Gibson and Richardson are teaming together to make books available for anyone who walks through the courthouse in all 120 Kentucky counties through the “Courthouse Reading Across Kentucky and Beyond” program.
“It’s a way to honor the Kentucky librarians and our rich Kentucky history of, you know, getting books into the hands of readers, and spreading it,” Richardson said.
Last year, the Jefferson County Judicial Center was the first courthouse to add a Little Free Library through the program.
Now, about 16 courthouses across the state offer a wide variety of books — from cookbooks, memoirs and picture books.
“I just cared about getting books in people’s hands. I didn’t really care whether they were reading kid’s books. I didn’t care if they were reading romance novels. I didn’t care if they were reading cookbooks. I just wanted to be able to get books in hands,” Gibson shared.
The public can donate books by dropping them off at the courthouse or through the mail.
“Courthouse Reading Across Kentucky and Beyond” is the only program of its kind in the country and is working on expanding to other states.