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CFVI Announces Opening of USVI's 15th Little Free Library


Newest addition located at Maternal and Child Health Clinic on St. Thomas

Representatives from the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands, Maternal and Child Health Clinic, and the Virgin Islands Department of Health at the opening of the USVI's 15th Little Free Library, located at the clinic across the street from Nisky Center on St. Thomas.

U.S. Virgin Islands, November 12, 2024  The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) is pleased to announce the opening of the 15th Little Free Library (LFL) in the territory as part of the Foundation’s continued efforts to expand the program. The newest library is located at the Maternal and Child Health Clinic across the street from Nisky Center on St. Thomas. 


“We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Maternal and Child Health team, including Nurse Janney Ferrol-Hawley, Chief of Staff Shanna O'Reilly, and Deputy Commissioner Janis Valmond for their dedicated collaboration in making this project possible," said CFVI President Dee Baecher-Brown. "Additionally, thanks to our LFL Coordinator, Danny Williams, for overseeing the library installation and supply of books for the library."


An official opening, dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Tuesday, Nov. 12. Staff from CFVI, the VI Department of Health and its Maternal and Child Health Division attended, along with members of the public. As part of the ceremony, the library was stocked with books, including board and picture books in Spanish and Creole, comics, teen fiction books, and parenting guides and resources. Organization representatives spoke briefly about the importance of having the LFL available for clinic visitors, including parents, children and families.

The newest LFL is the third one established in St. Thomas within the past year. The other two are located in Frenchtown and Alvin McBean Ballpark. The Foundation also refurbishes, updates and restocks the LFL's throughout the territory as needed on an ongoing basis.


"We are committed to enhancing the lives of the children, families, and all who live in the Virgin Islands and we believe that supporting literacy and providing Little Free Libraries for our community is a valuable way to do this," said Baecher-Brown.

 

To date, CFVI has distributed 21,762 books throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands and provided more than $98,000 in funding to provide books for the territory. The Foundation also serves as the Library of Congress’ Center for the Book for the territory. Little Free Library is a program of CFVI’s Center for the Book.

 

USVI Little Free Library Locations

St. Croix

  • Frederiksted Health Clinic – Sponsored by First Bank, and built by the members of CHANT
  • Canegata Playground in Christiansted – Sponsored by First Lady Yolanda Bryan
  • Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts, 10 Strand Street, Frederiksted
  • Alexandra Gutting, Q824+R8 Fort Louise Augusta Rd., Christiansted

St. John

  • Powell Park in Cruz Bay – Sponsored by Princess Cruises Community Foundation
  • Coral Bay (By the mailboxes close to the Fire Station) – Sponsored by the Coral Bay Community Council
  • Calabash Boom Housing (By Calabash Boom Affordable Housing mailboxes) – Sponsored by the Coral Bay Community Council

St. Thomas

  • Havensight Mall (In between Smoking Rooster and Sunglass Hut) – Sponsored by Princess Cruises Community Foundation
  • Oswald Harris Court (In front of the Community Center) – Sponsored by Rock City
  • Emile Griffith Park – Sponsored by Princess Cruises Community Foundation 
  • Roosevelt Memorial Park – Sponsored by First Lady Yolanda Bryan
  • Scoops & Brew (Crown Bay Marina) – Sponsored by Scoops & Brew
  • Alvin McBean Ballpark (Anna's Retreat)
  • Joseph Aubain Ballpark (Frenchtown) - Sponsored by Kentucky Highway Industries
  • Maternal and Child Health Clinic (Across the street from Nisky Center)


To view the Little Free Library world map, visit littlefreelibrary.org/map.

 

"We encourage all members of the community to get involved by sharing books or volunteering to help maintain our existing Little Free Libraries," said Baecher-Brown. 

 

For more information about sponsoring or requesting a Little Free Library at a specific location in the U.S. Virgin Islands, contact CFVI Grants and Programs Director, Beth Nuttall, at bethn@cfvi.net.

 

The Little Free Library program, a “take a book, share a book” free book exchange, launched in 2019 in the U.S. Virgin Islands and has since spread throughout the territory.

 

Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that inspires a love of reading, builds community and sparks creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world. Through Little Free Library book exchanges, millions of books are exchanged each year, profoundly increasing access to books for readers of all ages and backgrounds.

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About the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands
Since 1990, the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) has been a catalyst for positive change in the territory through initiatives committed to youth, learning, family support and the environment. With a professional staff and a volunteer Board of Directors composed of community leaders, CFVI is a trusted advocate and supporter of programs that ensure opportunity and sustainability for current and future generations. CFVI is a registered non-profit organization entirely supported by individual donors, grants, trusts, corporate donations and estate planning. For more information, visit cfvi.net.
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