Do you have gently-used books you're willing to share in our Little Free Libraries? Please donate them by:

• Placing them directly in any Sunrise Little Free Library; or

• Dropping them off at our Leisure Services Department on the 2nd floor of the Sunrise Civic Center, located at 10610 West Oakland Park Blvd.

For more information, please call (954) 747-4600.

The very first Little Free Library was created in 2009 in Hudson, Wisconsin by Todd Bol in memory of his mother, a beloved teacher and avid reader. He placed a small wooden box of books on his lawn with a sign that read: “Take a Book, Return a Book.” That single act sparked a worldwide movement — with Libraries now found in over 100 countries.

The City’s Little Free Library program began as a service learning project by the Sunrise Leadership Academy (SLA) class of 2013! These dedicated students worked with local elementary schools, community groups, and corporate sponsors to understand the book themes that the community was interested in and bring the resources to fruition.

The very first Little Free Libraries were painted by the SLA participants at Young At Art Museum with help from muralist GG. In February 2013, the libraries were installed, stocked with books, and celebrated with a community ribbon-cutting event at Village Multipurpose Center. Additional support has been contributed by the community and future SLA cohorts over the years to continue the program.

Throughout the years, Sunrise has held Sidewalk Storytimes at our Libraries. The first-ever event featured Mayor Michael J. Ryan reading The Cat in the Hat to Sunrise summer campers.

Sunrise was honored to receive the Cities of Excellence Community Spirit Award from the Broward League of Cities in August 2013, recognizing our Little Free Library program as exemplary.

Community organizations interested in contributing to Little Free Libraries in Sunrise are encouraged to contact sdiaz@sunrisefl.gov. 

We are grateful to all who continue to make this Little Free Libraries initiative possible through generous support:

• The Palm Beach Post

• Books & Books (Becky Quiroga Curtis)

• GG Artwork

• IKEA Sunrise

• Young At Art Museum

• Sunrise elementary schools

• Elks Lodge #2273

• Central and East Sunrise Residents Associations

• Greater Sunrise Chamber of Commerce

• Professor Tennille Shuster’s Book Arts class at Nova Southeastern University