Buffalo Grove Police Department installs Little Free Library
The Buffalo Grove Police Department will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Little Free Library at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 10. The event is open to the public and will take place outside the main entrance of the police station, 46 Raupp Blvd.
"The department is committed to building positive, trusting relationships with the youth in our community, and we see the library as another way to reach that goal," said Police Chief Steven Casstevens.
Young people are encouraged to visit the library and are welcome to stop in the station and meet members of the department. In addition to providing reading materials for young community members, the books also offer a distraction for children who accompany their parents to the police station in what can, oftentimes, be a stressful situation.
Community Relations Officer Matthew Mills brought the concept of the Little Free Library to the police department, and its creation was truly a team effort.
The library was designed, constructed and painted by Officer Ross Valstyn, and Mills supplied the original donation of books. Moving forward, the Vernon Area Public Library District will contribute books to keep the library stocked.
Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that promotes reading, builds community and improves book access by fostering neighborhood book exchange boxes around the world.
The organization received the 2020 World Literacy Award and has been recognized by the Library of Congress, the National Book Foundation and others for its dedication to expanding book access for all.
To learn more, visit littlefreelibrary.org.