Florida State University announced on April 14 the launch of its first on-campus Little Free Library, joining a global movement to promote community book sharing. The new installation is a collaboration between FSU Libraries and the FSU Student Union Board, aiming to encourage leisure reading and foster a sense of community among students.
The initiative brings the “take-a-book, share-a-book” model to campus through small weather-proof kiosks where anyone can take or leave books. These exchanges are intended to make reading more accessible and help connect students in informal settings outside traditional library spaces.
Crystal Matthews, FSU Libraries student engagement librarian, said, “We are all about increasing access and connecting with students where they actually live and gather, and this little free library is a great extension of our mission because it creates a unique connection where you’re taking part in another person’s experience when you take a book.”
A grand opening ceremony was held on April 8 at the Askew Student Life Center courtyard to mark the addition of this location to the worldwide network of Little Free Libraries. This site joins an existing kiosk at FSU’s Panama City Campus.
Jules Johannemann, chair of the FSU Union Board, said, “Reading is such a powerful way of sharing ideas, and having a place on campus where you can shrink this large environment down to pick up a favorite story or even a textbook makes the university feel a lot more like home.”
Emily Lopez, student engagement coordinator for FSU Libraries added: “On a large campus, building this kind of community is vital; I’ve seen students walk into our events stressed by exams and projects, telling us that having these resources available at the perfect time means the world to them.”
The Little Free Library operates on an honor system for book exchange. Organizers hope it will provide students with opportunities for relaxation through reading while supporting connections across campus.
