ATLANTA - The State Board of Pardons and Paroles has partnered with Brooks County Middle School (BCMS) to place free little libraries in local neighborhoods giving children of all ages the opportunity to enjoy reading. Today the Board delivered three newly constructed little libraries to Mrs. Beth Lee, founder of the BC Little Libraries project, and Miss MacKenna Fountain, a volunteer on the project. In addition to delivering the libraries, Parole Board employees made a donation of books to the project.

The concept of the BC Little Libraries is a free book exchange. The ultimate goal is to encourage children to read beginning at an early age. Research shows that early literacy skills have a tremendous impact on academic success and future outcomes. Through the project, children are encouraged to take a book at no cost and return the book or even donate another book at any of the BC Little Library locations. The program works on the honor system and encourages the donation of books. If you visit a BC Little Library, you will find books that are new or slightly used and appropriate for children ranging in age from toddler to high school students.

Laura Weaver, a parole investigator with the Parole Board, says her daughter MacKenna, now a high school freshman, began accepting book donations for the BC Little Library project spearheaded by Mrs. Lee, one of MacKenna’s favorite middle school teachers. Lee, an 8th grade teacher at Brooks County Middle School, says the school’s project began with a grant she received. The grant was used to purchase materials to build three BC Little Libraries which have already been placed in two neighborhoods within Quitman and a third located in east Brooks County.

“Early literacy is so very important. Students who enter school with reading skills have an advantage, and students with quality reading experiences are less likely to fall behind in their academic endeavors. I hope this project can continue to grow for so many reasons, but most importantly, I hope easier access to books will increase the quality time families spend reading together starting at an early age!” stated Lee.

The Parole Board provided materials for an additional three BC Little Libraries which were constructed by state inmates at the Atlanta Transitional Center. As a result, a total of six BC Little Libraries will be located in neighborhoods around Brooks County.

“What an amazing opportunity to impact the lives of God’s most precious creations...our children. Providing access to books is not simply providing access to knowledge, it is much more than that. It is opening up our children to new worlds, adventures, emotions, imagination, and critical thinking. This provides a great opportunity to help those less fortunate and hopefully inspire connections beyond just reading a book,” stated Chris Barnett, Executive Director of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Barnett thanked the Department of Corrections for partnering with the Parole Board on its part of the project.


To learn more about BC Little Libraries, please visit the project’s page: https://www.facebook.com/BrooksCountyLitLib/

For more information about the Parole Board, please contact the Office of Communications, Director Steve Hayes, at 404-657-9450 or [email protected], also visit www.pap.georgia.gov.

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