Free books expand neighborhood’s access to reading

If you look closely, it is not hard to spot free books moving through the neighborhood in quiet ways. In Sunset Park, more residents and small businesses are placing small book-sharing boxes outside their homes or storefronts, letting passersby take books freely. At the same time, some nonprofits focused on literacy and educational opportunity are holding regular free book giveaway events in the community.

These efforts make reading materials easier to access at the neighborhood level. For Sunset Park, which has a large immigrant population and comparatively limited educational resources, that access can be especially important.

Business backs literacy, book-sharing box appears out front

Since 2019, siblings Patricia Mejía and Hermann Mejía have run Liebre Café at the corner of Seventh Avenue and 41st Street. Beyond serving drinks, the café has long supported local arts, opening its interior space to neighborhood artists as a place to show work and connect.

About a year ago, a regular customer who is also an artist suggested placing a small book-exchange box outside. The Mejía siblings agreed right away.

“She built the whole book box and then asked if we could put it here, and we just helped out,” Hermann recalled.

He said the response was immediate and enthusiastic.

“People really loved the idea, and it has proven successful. The box is always full. I see books being taken and replaced. You can almost always see someone dropping off books, and someone else stopping to take a few,” he said.

Hermann said he feels good knowing it can have a positive impact. He called the free book box a simple, helpful thing.

“In my view, every corner should have one. It would really help promote reading and literacy,” he said.

Little Free Library is an organization that registers and supports “take a book, leave a book” neighborhood book exchanges. While the book exchange in front of Liebre Café is not officially registered, readers can use its map to locate at least six other book exchanges in the neighborhood.

Giveaways at community open houses help families build home libraries

Beyond community-based book exchanges, nonprofits that support literacy programs are another key source of books for local families. Brooklyn Book Bodega, founded in 2018, works to increase the number of books in New York City children’s homes, with a goal of helping more children ages 0 to 18 live in households with at least 100 books.

“Our mission is to host free book giveaways and reading-centered community programs that give children and families the chance to access books and own them long term, while strengthening community ties and building enthusiasm for learning,” said Rebecca Cohen, the nonprofit’s executive director and co-founder.

The group recently held a book giveaway table in Sunset Park and distributed 500 books that day.

“That clearly reflects the real demand for books in the neighborhood,” said Marcia Clarke, a Brooklyn Book Bodega community ambassador.

Clarke said many families have to choose between essentials and books.

“A book costs about $15 to $18 on average. When budgets are tight, families have to prioritize rent, utilities, and other basic housing costs,” she said.

She said Brooklyn Book Bodega aims to remove that tradeoff, so families do not have to choose between basic needs and reading materials.

“From the feedback we get, parents really value the chance to read with their kids. Even if a child cannot read yet, if an adult is holding a book, the child can participate through colors and pictures. That kind of interaction is hard to replace with a device,” Clarke added.

She said many families also praise the quality of the donated books, describing them as brand new or in very good condition.

In addition to community events, Brooklyn Book Bodega hosts a monthly “community open house” at its space in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Residents can bring bags or carts and choose the books they want.

“On those days, people can pick out any books they like. It’s like ‘open season,’” Clarke said.

More details are available at brooklynbookbodega.org.