Laundromat Libraries, a pilot program of the Marietta Community Foundation, recently established its first library at Old Town Express Laundry in Marietta, Ohio.
“We are just happy to be able to provide a means to encourage young minds to cultivate a love for reading, as it is such an important step in the learning process,” said store owners Frank and Judy Lang. “Plus, it gives them something constructive to do.”
In addition, the Marietta Community Foundation is looking to get more books into the hands of children by establishing small libraries in laundromats throughout Washington County.
“We know that people frequently bring their children with them to the laundromat and spend at least an hour there,” said Heather Allender, director of the foundation. “This will help keep the kids busy with something positive while there and again at home, if they chose to keep the book.”
Such programs are on the rise across the country. When Allender first heard about a similar program, she said she felt it would be a great use of the foundation’s partnership with The UPS Store Marietta.
Using donations made to the Toys for Tots Literacy Program during checkout, The UPS Store Marietta purchased about 1,000 Scholastic children’s books – suited for pre-K through seventh grade – to stock the library’s shelves throughout the year.
“I am so happy to continue to build this relationship between The UPS Store and the Marietta Community Foundation,” explained Erin Baker, franchise owner of The UPS Store Marietta. “Truly, it is the monetary donations from our customers that make this project possible. The UPS Store, along with the Toys for Tots Literacy Program, make sure all of the donations equal great books for our local area. I know I can count on the Marietta Community Foundation to help make the biggest impact by donating the books to them each year.”
“We hope this program will provide parents and children with more opportunities to engage in reading together,” Allender said.
