To

Mayor and Council

Subject

Georgia Recreation and Park Association Innovative Grant

Initiator

Parks and Recreation

Recommendation

Approval is requested to accept funds from Georgia Recreation and Park \n \n Association (GRPA) for our ?Little Free Library Program. \n \n

Approval

Pending

Background

A Little Free Library is a ?take a book, return a book? free book exchange.

They come in many shapes and sizes, but the most common version is a small

wooden box of books. Anyone may take a book or bring a book to share. Little

Free Library book exchanges have a unique, personal touch.



The books that will be used to fill the Little Free Libraries will be donated

by organizations within the community. As a department we have been collecting

books for approximately two years and storing them at one of our recreation

centers. We have garnered partnerships with the local Chattahoochee Valley

Library System, the Columbus Literacy Alliance, Barnes and Noble, UGA

Cooperative Extension Service, the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer Newspaper, Fort

Benning Children and Youth Services, and Midtown Columbus. These partnerships

will enable us to continue to gather books and keep the Little Free Libraries

maintained and stocked for years to come.

We have a lofty goal to eventually place a Little Free Library in every park we

have which would total about 52 Little Free Libraries. We want to begin our

program by placing Little Free Libraries in our parks that have recreation

facilities. We will use the staff at the facilities to help maintain the

libraries and to act as ?librarians? for our libraries making sure they stay

stocked with lots of books for people of all ages. We will also use our RSVP,

Retired Senior Volunteer Program, as well as other partner organizations such

as the Columbus Literacy Alliance, and UGA Columbus Extension office to help in

maintaining the books at each Little Free Library.



We will use old metal newspaper boxes that we will acquire from the Columbus

Ledger-Enquirer to retro into new Little Free Libraries. We will also be

utilizing the carpentry staff of the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department

to build artistic and wooden Little Free Libraries as well.

Analysis

Parks and Recreation is requesting to receive grant funds from its state

organization, Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA)

Financial Considerations

: The grant amount requested is $1,000.00 for the Department of Parks and

Recreation and the city of Columbus. There is no City match required.

Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement

None is expected

Legal Considerations

Council must approve the application and acceptance of funds if awarded.

Recommendations/ Actions

Authorize a resolution to approve the City to submit an application for, and if

awarded, accept a grant from Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA) to

fund the ?Little Free Library Program.

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