OCDEL to Provide Little Libraries for State-Certified Early Learning Providers

Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is offering Little Libraries at no cost for state-certified early learning providers.

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The opportunity is voluntary and open to all Pennsylvania-certified providers, including child care centers, family child care homes, state Pre-K Counts, Head Start, and Early Head Start programs. Quantities are limited to one library per physical location.

Little Libraries are small, free book-sharing boxes that allow community members to “take a book, share a book.” Their aim is to increase access to reading materials, encourage family engagement, and promote a love of reading.

For early learning programs, a Little Library can be an additional way to support early literacy while reinforcing the program’s role as a trusted community leader and resource.

While placement of the Little Library is up to each recipient, OCDEL encourages locations that allow for public access to maximize community impact. This could include placement near a program entrance, along a sidewalk, or in another visible, welcoming space.

Programs that receive a Little Library will be responsible for maintaining and restocking books over time. To help each program, OCDEL will provide the first nine books. In addition, the first 500 programs to submit a request will also receive a copy of the previous PA One Book selection.

Those interested in adding a Little Library to their program can do so online. To prepare to set up a Little Library, visit the Pennsylvania Key’s website for tips and additional resources.