Bird Street Community Center
Dorchester, MA
Bird Street Community Center
Dorchester, MA
Bird Street Community Center
Dorchester, MA
"Who loves children’s books more than I do, well it’s Lisa. She shares her love of books and reading with my students at the Beethoven Elementary School. It’s her kindness that shines through and her willingness to want all children to love reading. Lisa brought books for our students, well over 1,000 books. I’ll never forget the smiles and excitement of the students choosing two books to take home. Our Kindness Projects were such a success with all the support we received from Storytime Crafts."
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Margarite Mourkakos , School Librarian, Beethoven Elementary School, West Roxbury, MA (Retired)
Whittemore Elementary School, K-5
Waltham, MA
Kindness Project - March 1, 2019
Whittemore Elementary School, K-5
Waltham, MA
Kindness Project - March 1, 2019
Little Free Libraries
Invest in our promising young readers and their bright futures.
Little Free Libraries is an initiative that matches a sponsor with each Little Free Library that is placed within a community to promote the joy of reading.
Our goal is to increase access to culturally diverse books for readers of all ages and backgrounds and foster neighborhood book exchanges throughout communities where children and families do not have access to books. Each little free library is listed on the Little Free Library World Map.
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To sponsor a Little Free Library email: lvstorytime@gmail.com
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Donations are tax deductible.
Tax ID - 83-4336023
Sponsorship Includes:
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Little Free Library
Library post and topper
Official charter sign
Tribute plaque
Books to replenish the library
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1. Storytime Crafts
Gorse Mill Studios, 31 Thorpe Road, Needham, MA 02494
Installation: October 5, 2020
Visit: https://littlefreelibrary.org/ourmap/ to find this library registered on the world wide map.
Charter #110778
Donated in partnership with Ken Davison, MD.
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Gorse Mill Studios is a group of people who, through their common interests and like-mindedness, have formed a creative community for the benefit of each other, the neighborhood and the town. The Gorse Mill Studios building continues to be a place where imagination, creativity and craft bring people together in support of the arts.
"So proud of all your efforts during this hectic pandemic. Wonderful work. Appreciate being a small part of it."
-- Ken Davison, MD., retired anesthesiologist
2. All Dorchester Sports and Leadership
Town Field Library
1565 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester, MA 02122
Installation: November 7, 2020
Visit: https://littlefreelibrary.org/ourmap/
to find these libraries registered.
Charter #113041
Donated in partnership with Ken Davison, MD.
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ADSL's focus on wellness and academic success encourages healthy habits and choices for youth and their families. ADSL offers an alternative to risky behaviors where young people can excel in sports, build self esteem, develop leadership skills, and engage with positive role models and mentors.
"We are so excited to have a little library in our community! It brings a smile to our faces whenever we see young kids and their parents excitedly picking books out of the little library. It is proving to be a valuable resource for families in our neighborhood who may not have access to other reading materials during this isolating time. Looking forward to increased activity at the "library" this year!"
-- Candice D. Gartley, Executive Director, All Dorchester Sports & Leadership
3. Dimock Community Health Center
55 Dimock Street, Roxbury, MA 02119
Installation: March 11, 2021
Charter #113358
Donated in partnership with The Wagner Family
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Founded in 1862 as the New England Hospital for Women and Children, the Dimock Center heals and uplifts individuals, families, and their community. Operating on a nine-acre campus in Roxbury, The Dimock Center serves communities in Boston and across the state, providing comprehensive, culturally-competent Health and Community Care, Behavioral Health Services, and Child and Family Services to more than 19,000 people annually.
"We are incredibly grateful to partner with you. The love and care of you and your volunteers are so clear and means a great deal to all the children, families, and patients we support at Dimock. In less than one year, Storytime Crafts and your many other partners have had a visible impact on our Dimock community."
-- Raquel Rosenblatt, Chief Development Officer, The Dimock Center
4. Greater Ashmont Main Street
1906 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester, MA 02124
Installation: April 24, 2021
Charter #113765
Donated in partnership with The Melton and Sullivan Families
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Greater Ashmont Main Street strives to maintain and further develop their district as a welcoming destination for those from inside and outside the area.
"Our staff and Board loved working with Lisa and her team at Storytime Crafts. The LIbraries have been a wonderful addition to the Greater Ashmont Main Streets District. It's great to see neighbors, especially children grab books from the boxes."
-- Jeanne Dasaro, Executive Director, Greater Ashmont Main Street
5. Greater Ashmont Main Street
Greater Ashmont Library
10 Ashmont Street, Dorchester, MA 02124
Installation: April 24, 2021
Charter #123033
Donated in partnership with Greater Ashmont Main Street
6. Menino YMCA
1137 River Street, Hyde Park, MA 02136
Installation: May 11, 2021
Visit: https://littlefreelibrary.org/ourmap/ to find this library registered on the world wide map.
Charter #123294
Donated in partnership with Alex Sham
7. Roxbury YMCA
285 Martin Luther King Blvd, Roxbury, MA 02119
Installation: May 11, 2021
Visit: https://littlefreelibrary.org/ourmap/ to find this library registered on the world wide map.
Charter #123957
Donated in partnership with Kenny, Joanna, and Evan Raskin
Greetings from the YMCA of Greater Boston!
I am thrilled to add my voice to the chorus singing the praises of Storytime Crafts and Lisa Vergara! I was introduced to Lisa by my Y colleague Claire Kaiser, as someone that I must meet. Lisa was described as a literal connection to all things literary in Greater Boston. And man, was Claire right.
Lisa and I talked on the phone and established an immediate connection as well as a passion for bringing the love of books to the communities of Boston. Within weeks with the support of the Sham Family, the Raskin Family, the Martin Richard Foundation and Lemon House Publishing, we had Little Libraries at our Y’s in Hyde Park, Roxbury, Dorchester and Roslindale.
The experience has been wonderful and the joy that the Little Libraries have brought to our families has been immeasurable. Lisa and Storytime Crafts deserve all the accolades and support that come their way and then some. With much appreciation and gratitude.
-- Kathryn Saunders, Executive Director, Roxbury/Menino YMCA
8. Haynes Early Education Center
263 Blue Hill Ave, Roxbury, MA 02119
Installation: June 16, 2021
Charter #125328
Donated in partnership with A to Z Child Care and Preschool
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Haynes Early Education Center provides full day K0, K1, K2 and 1st grade classrooms. Many of their classrooms are fully integrated to accommodate children with special needs.
As the Boston Public Schools district focuses on equitable literacy and cultivating the genius of its students, Storytime Crafts and its sponsors are doing their parts. Books everywhere, for every subject and occasion. We have established a new partnership with Storytime Crafts and what a blessing they have been since this past spring. This partnership is significant and aligns with the Haynes Early Education Center “Our mission, as ‘The Second Happiest Place on Earth’ is to partner with families and communities to develop the essential skills children will need to achieve success and excellence in our global society.”
Lisa Vergara and her husband David came with little library in hand, tools, and drill, and most importantly books. Some books were given by ReadBoston as well. Our students had the opportunity to witness the installation of the little library. They were immediately drawn to the books and storytime took place in that very moment. This was great to witness and exemplified a partnership that is aligned with our vision (The Haynes is to be a benchmark of Excellence in Early Childhood Education).
We also installed the Little Free Library in our school yard that is used by our students and the neighborhood community. We have shared more than 100 books since its installation. During the school day students are checking it out and when we let them know (again and again) that they can keep the books, they are surprised every time. This has been a great investment. Our sponsor Eileen Rakhunov, Director/Owner of A to Z Child Care and Preschool in Needham also attended the installation and another new relationship has been born. We are excited about these new partnerships and the lifelong benefits that our school community will receive as a result of Storytime Crafts generosity.
-- Donette Wilson, Principal, The Rev. Dr. Michael E. Haynes Early Education Center, Roxbury, MA
9. ABCD Parker Hill/Fenway NSC
714 Parker Street, Roxbury, MA 02120
Installation Date: July 22, 2021
Charter #125744
Donated in partnership with Needham Bank, 1457 Tremont Street, Mission Hill
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ABCD is part of the Community Action Network, created with the passage of the Economic Opportunity Act, which was signed into law in 1964. The Act was a sweeping plan to improve the lives of all Americans. ABCD is a nonprofit human services organization that each year provides low income residents in the Greater Boston region with the tools and resources needed to transition from poverty to stability and from stability to success.
"We love having a little free library at ABCD. Throughout the day, I see our clients and other members of the community gravitating toward our library. They will look through all of the books to find ones that interest them. Sometimes we have to refill the library several times a week because people are always stopping by to get more books. We’ve also noticed an increase in community engagement. People will stop by and add books and flyers for local events into the little library."
-- Jenny Sugilio, Immigration Services Coordinator, ABCD Parker Hill/Fenway NSC
10. Catholic Charities of Boston at Labouré Center
275 West Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127
Installation Date: September 3, 2021
Charter #127798
Donated in partnership with Dedham Savings
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Labouré Early Childhood Services is a diverse center based community dedicated to providing a nurturing environment and inviting children to use their senses to explore and develop a love of learning that will last a lifetime.
11. Dorchester YMCA
776 Washington Street, Dorchester, MA 02124
Installation Date: September 30, 2021
Charter #129550
Donated in partnership with the Martin Richard Foundation
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The Martin Richard Foundation works to advance the values of inclusion, kindness, justice and peace. We invest in community programs that broaden horizons for young people and encourage them to celebrate diversity and engage in positive civic action.
12. Washington Beech Playground Library
Beechland Circle, Roslindale, MA 02131
Installation Date: October 7, 2021
Charter #127301
Donated in partnership with Lemon House Publishing
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Lemon House Publishing strives to help young writers build confidence by guiding them through the process of writing and publishing their own children’s books. Through teaching both virtual and in-person classes, students are led through the process of brainstorming, drafting, peer editing, revising and illustrating their own children’s book. Following the program, Lemon House Publishing publishes each student’s book on Amazon with profits going to a local Boston, MA charity.
Lemon House Publishing empowers children by teaching them the process of writing their own children’s books. If the student’s family chooses to publish their book at the end on Amazon, profits from book sales go to Storytime Crafts. Book sale profits from this past year made it possible to install this Little Free Library.
-- Jacky Lamenzo, Founder, Lemon House Publishing
13. Joseph P. Tynan Elementary School
650 East 4th Street, South Boston, MA 02127
Installation Date: April 13, 2022
Charter #139886
Donated in partnership with The Rotary Club of Needham
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The Tynan Elementary School has a culturally and academically diverse student population, welcoming general education, Special Education ABA, and English learners in our school. We believe our students are GREAT- Genius, Resilient, Excellent and Tenacious.
I want to take a moment to once again thank you for your wonderful and unyielding support of the Joseph Tynan Elementary School. Our community absolutely loves this new resource!
We truly appreciate the ongoing partnership and are forever grateful to your commitment to literacy. Words cannot express the heartfelt gratitude that I have for The Rotary Club of Needham and Storytime Crafts, Inc.
Your generous gift is one that will continue to yield positive results for the entire Tynan and South Boston community. Please know the Tynan students were all excited and had a chance to visit the new library during recess today.
Additionally, families visited today at dismissal and we received many positive comments. Your support helps to make the Tynan a hidden gem within the Boston Public School System. Thank you again for the books, games, bookmarks and additional resources. They will all be used with care and love.
-- Leslie Gant, Principal, Joseph P. Tynan Elementary School, South Boston
14. Brookview House
35 Hansborough Street, Dorchester, MA 02124
Installation Date: April 20, 2022
Charter #140705
Donated in loving memory of Jill Fiering, who believed all kids should have books!
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Brookview House is a multi-service nonprofit organization for women, children and youth experiencing homelessness that develops safe, affordable housing with support services and programs on site, confronts the root causes of family homelessness and addresses the distinct needs of each family member – children, youth and adults – positioning families for social and economic mobility and long-term stability.
The day our Little Free Library was installed, our youth were so excited. The entire process was interactive; the youth participated in the installation and stocked the library! This is real community ownership!
We've learned from research that increasing access to books and giving youth the choice to choose what they want to read improves their academic performance and attitudes toward reading. Thank you, Storytime Crafts!
--Deborah Collins-Gousby, Chief Operating Officer
Brookview House, Dorchester
15. Linden Street
166 Linden Street, Needham, MA 02492
Installation Date: May 25, 2022
Charter #129551
Donated in partnership with The Rotary Club of Needham
16. Captain Robert Cook Drive
28 Captain Robert Cook Drive, Needham, MA 02494
Installation Date: May 25, 2022
Charter #134917
Donated in partnership with The Rotary Club of Needham
The Needham Housing Authority's mission is to provide decent, safe, and affordable housing for low to moderate income families and individuals and to offer programs and resources to improve the quality of life for residents, program participants and the broader Needham community while respecting the rights and privacy of all.
"I continue to be impressed with the amazing work you do. You are a blessing to our town and region."
--Bill Paulson, Rotary Club of Needham
17. Julie's Family Learning Program
133 Dorchester St, South Boston, MA 02127
Installation Date: October 12, 2022
Charter #140704
Donated in partnership with Dedham Savings
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Since 1974, Julie’s Family Learning Program has been dedicated to empowering mothers to recognize their strengths and utilize their know-how to stabilize and transform their family life. In 2019, Julie’s expanded its mission to all underserved learners, 17 years and older, who seek flexible opportunities to attain the educational credentials and workplace skills crucial to meeting their life goals.
"Here at Julie’s Family Learning Program in Boston’s South End we love our Little Free Library installed by Storytime Crafts and sponsored by Dedham Savings. Our Children's Services program takes frequent trips out to the library and the kids love choosing books as well as refilling it. We are thrilled that the moms and other adult learners we serve can also choose books from it. We also see it being enjoyed by local residents in our community. Thank you to all who made it possible!"
-- Michelle Persson Reilly, Executive Director, Julie’s Family Learning Program
18. Martin's Park
64 Sleeper St, Boston, MA 02210
Installation Date: April 7, 2023
Charter #160393
In partnership with the Martin Richard Foundation and Storytime Crafts
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Martin’s Park is the result of a multi-year collaboration with the City of Boston, state officials, private corporations and generous donors. This inclusive, climate-resilient space on the Smith Family Waterfront is the first of its kind in Boston and a lasting symbol of Martin Richard’s kind, playful, welcoming spirit.
