In a collaborative effort to promote literacy and increase access to books, the Bulloch County Literacy Council, in partnership with Bulloch County Recreation & Parks, has unveiled a new sharing library at Luetta Moore Park in Statesboro. The dedication ceremony, held Monday morning, featured remarks from Crystal Simpkins, Director of Early Learning and Literacy at Bulloch County Schools, and Dadrian "Dee" Cosby, Director of the Bulloch County Recreation and Parks Department.
The book box, located at Luetta Moore Park at 585 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, is part of the Literacy Council’s ongoing Bulloch READ initiative, which aims to create a literacy-rich environment for children across the county.
The Literacy Council launched its sharing library project in June 2024 with the help of the Statesboro Herald by repurposing seven newspaper boxes into miniature libraries stocked with children’s books. Designed to mirror the popular Bulloch County Schools Book Bus, the boxes have been placed in accessible and familiar locations. Alongside the new addition at Luetta Moore Park, sharing libraries will be available at Boro Sno, Lanier’s IGA in Portal, and El Maguey in Brooklet.
This initiative is supported by funding from a Community Transformation Grant from the Georgia Department of Education, as well as contributions from local sponsors and the efforts of Whitfield Signs of Statesboro, which provided the custom artwork for the library boxes.
"We feel Luetta Moore Park is a great location to jump-start our outside sharing library initiative," said Crystal Simpkins, Director of Early Learning for Bulloch County Schools and Literacy Council member. "Placing the shared libraries around the community reduces obstacles that children and families may have that limit their access to books."
The sharing libraries address major literacy barriers by providing free, accessible reading materials for children and families who may lack transportation or resources to purchase books. By having a culture of reading, the program aims to support early literacy development, encourage a love for reading, and promote family engagement in literacy activities.
This project would not be possible without the collaboration and support of numerous organizations and individuals:
- Bulloch County Literacy Council
- Bulloch County Schools
- Bulloch County Recreation & Parks
- Statesboro Herald
- Whitfield Signs of Statesboro
- Georgia Department of Education through the Community Transformation Grant
- Local businesses, including Boro Sno, Lanier’s IGA, and El Maguey, which will also host sharing libraries on their premises
The Literacy Council is a dedicated group of educators, civic leaders, and community volunteers working to improve literacy for children in Bulloch County. Its Bulloch READ initiative focuses on:
- Reading: Encouraging reading nooks.
- Environment: Promoting literacy-rich environments.
- Access: Increasing access to books and resources.
- Development: Supporting early brain development.
For more information about the Literacy Council’s work and ongoing projects, visit bullochschools.org/bullochread.
This latest addition at Luetta Moore Park demonstrates the power of community partnerships in fostering literacy and creating opportunities for children to thrive.
