Little Free Library on ASUMH Campus

Arkansas State University–Mountain Home (ASUMH) celebrated the ribbon cutting today of a new Little Free Library located at the trailhead of the James and Sally Moore Recreational Trail on campus.

This location marks the 11th Little Free Library established through the Baxter County Early Literacy Project, a countywide initiative dedicated to preparing children with the early literacy skills they need to successfully enter Kindergarten.

The Baxter County Early Literacy Project is spearheaded by the Baxter County Library and represents a collaborative partnership among Mountain Home, Cotter, and Norfork School Districts, the Schliemann Center for Women’s Health Education, ASUMH, and other early literacy advocates throughout the region.

The mission of the project is to equip all Baxter County children with essential early literacy skills by:

• Getting books into their hands

• Promoting the importance of early literacy

• Encouraging families to read aloud together

• Increasing awareness of Arkansas Child Development and Early Learning Standards

The new ASUMH Little Free Library will be managed by ASUMH Librarian Tina Bradley and maintained through a joint effort between the ASUMH Library and the Future Teachers Club, whose members will help keep the library stocked and accessible. 

ASUMH Library Director, Tina Bradley, said it best, "Offering more opportunities for children to read and be read to is a true extension to what we are all about at ASUMH: lifelong learning and changing lives.Who better to encourage early literacy among kids than our future teachers!"

The broader Little Free Library network, coordinated by Baxter County Library Volunteer Coordinator Charlene Smith, includes locations across the county such as Big Spring Park in Cotter, Gassville City Park, Norfork Community Center Trail, Vero Hall Memorial Park, and several sites throughout Mountain Home including Cooper Park, Donald W. Reynolds Library Serving Baxter County, Hickory Park, Little T’s Mini Golf & More, Mountain Home Kindergarten, Mountain Station Apartments, and Quail Run/Meadow Park Apartments.

The addition of the Little Free Library on campus reflects ASUMH’s ongoing commitment to community engagement and educational support, helping ensure that every child in Baxter County has access to the tools they need to succeed.

Community members are encouraged to support the initiative by donating books appropriate for children ages 12 and under. Donations can be dropped off at the ASUMH Library.