Date: July 20, 2017
Contact: Jason Ginder, 409-951-6721
Big Thicket National Preserve has joined the Little Free Library movement, an important nation-wide effort to make books available to everyone. Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that inspires a love of reading, builds community, and sparks creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world.
With financial support from our partner, Western National Parks Association, preserve staff have established a Little Free Library in the parking lot of the park visitor center. Visitors are welcome to peruse the free books and take one with them to read at their leisure. “We hope that this free book exchange will encourage visitors to use to park in new ways. There are many river banks, picnic areas, and other peaceful places around the park for everyone to use. Grab a book and discover new things in your national park. ” stated Big Thicket National Preserve Superintendent Wayne Prokopetz.
Through Little Free Libraries, millions of books are exchanged each year, profoundly increasing access to books for readers of all ages and backgrounds. Research tells us that one of the most successful ways to improve the reading achievement of children is to increase their access to books, especially at home (McGill-Franzen & Allington, 2009). But according to the U.S. Department of Education, up to 61% of low-income families do not have any books for their kids at home. The Little Free Library movement strives to make free books available to everyone throughout every community. More information can be found at www.littlefreelibrary.org .
The Big Thicket National Preserve Visitor Center is located along Hwy 69/287, seven miles north of Kountze, Tx, at 6102 FM 420 Rd. For general information about Big Thicket National Preserve, visit www.nps.gov/bith or call the preserve visitor center at 409-951-6700. Visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/BigThicketNPS, Twitter www.twitter.com/BigThicketNPS, and Instagram www.instagram.com/BigThicketNPS.
