DESIGN CHALLENGE
While the distribution of books at community events and at their local bookstore is helpful in accomplishing Reading Ready Pittsburgh’s mission, the effectiveness of their mission becomes dependent on small open hours of the store and the length of the event. Additionally, these methods are dependent on the initiative of people around Pittsburgh to get informed and come to those locations within the given time frame. FBD reached out in hopes of increasing the opportunities community members have longer and more localized access to books.
DESIGN SOLUTION
The ‘take-a-book, leave-a-book’ system has been implemented in many neighborhoods and communities. These little libraries provide opportunities for small acts of community engagement and a centralized location to share literature. Our team built two libraries that were placed in the Pittsburgh region and are under the care of Reading Rady Pittsburgh. Through these interventions, those local to the little libraries will have communal access to books indefinitely and are not dependent on means of transportation or availability to access it.
LONG TERM GOALS
FBD hopes that these little libraries and partnership with Reading Ready Pittsburgh can provide further accessability of books to neighborhoods and allow for opportunities of reading. The fun design and paint, completed by Reading Ready Pittsburgh will help to draw a crowd and attract possible users of the little library. Although there are no direct future goals with this project, FBD hopes to continue to advocate for education of all grade levels. This may be done with more classroom involvement or seeing other ways that the club and organization can assist the Pittsburgh Community.
