What’s Right with our Schools: The Little Library

RINGGOLD Ga. (WDEF) – We are traveling to Heritage Middle School to learn more about the Little Library.  The program is designed to encourage reading and was developed years ago.  Recently, the program was restored so future generations could enjoy a good book.

Mady Rayterry is the creator of the Little Library.

Rayterry said, “It started out with a project in Miss Wiggins class when I was in sixth grade here. And basically, it was to make something that was for community involvement. I wanted something that could be placed here and help the middle school, or just any kids in general. So, me and my dad just thought of this idea and just worked on it over spring break that year.”

After a few years, the Little Library found its way into a closet.  Then last summer, an art teacher pulled it out of storage and encouraged her students to come up with concepts and designs for it.

Heritage art teacher Dean Hodge said, “This thing is was beautifully made originally. It’s super solid like even after all the years of use. It was still as good as new almost. It just needed a fresh coat of paint basically. We got them painting on it and after a little bit of a voting process we settled on this Coraline design that we’ve got. And they did an amazing job putting it together and making it look almost brand new.”

Everyone has access to it.  People can even come read during the summer.

Heritage reading teacher Caitlyn Martin said, “We wanted to make sure that the age groups were divided up within the structure itself. And we wanted to make sure little readers, as young as toddlers can come, as well as adults. And find something that they can connect with.”