LL1 was deployed outside the Sutter Theater Center for the Arts on Sept. 27. Photo courtesy of the Yuba Sutter Rotary Night Club

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - The Yuba Sutter Rotary Night Club is proud to announce its latest gift to the community with the unveiling of its first two-story, portable “Little Library.”

Dubbed “LL1,” the flagship unit will be based at the Sutter Theater Center for the Arts. This Little Library is different than the permanent units that have popped up around Yuba Sutter over the years. These unique new Little Free Libraries, in addition to being much larger than standard, fixed single shelf libraries, are portable with three shelves and are designed to be rolled in and out of businesses during normal operating hours or for special events thus ensuring their longevity and maintenance.

Books for all ages will be stocked; from children's book to young adult books to reference books, non-fiction, fiction, poetry, and so much more.  The Little Libraries will also have information about our local libraries and their programs too.

The Yuba Sutter Rotary Night Club identified the need for greater access to books, especially considering the reduced hours in the public libraries due to budget cuts. Club members gathered for a construction party a few weekends ago and, voila, “LL1” sprang to life!

Pam Nowak, club member and artist, lent her remarkable talents to decorate the library with images of characters leaping from open books. “LL1” will be deployed outside the Sutter Theater Center for the Arts at the corner of Church and Plumas Streets starting on Friday, Sept. 27, just in time for opening night of “Jekyll & Hyde, the Musical,” at the Theater.

The introduction of this new program by the Yuba Sutter Rotary Night Club is timed to coincide with two important related events. First, September is Rotary Literacy Month, a time dedicated to emphasizing the importance of literacy in our communities. Throughout this month, Rotarians worldwide will engage in initiatives to promote reading, education, and lifelong learning. The organization recognizes literacy as a foundational skill that empowers individuals, transforms communities, and breaks cycles of poverty. The goal is to make literacy a priority and to foster an environment where everyone, especially children, has access to the resources they need to develop strong reading skills.

Last week, Sept. 22-28, was also Banned Books Week, established by the American Library Association in 1982. In honor of Banned Books Week, “LL1” will have a banned books section in addition to other categories. Clearly, there was never a better time than now to begin to make books of all genres more widely available to our community in shared support of the freedom to read.

And just as an FYI, banned book lists around the country have included well known classics like “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “Grapes of Wrath,” “The Color Purple,” “The Sun Also Rises” and many more.

Little Free Libraries began in 2009 when Todd Bol, a resident of Hudson, Wisconsin, built a small model of a schoolhouse, filled it with books, and placed it in his front yard. This simple act of sharing books with neighbors quickly gained traction. By 2023, there were over 150,000 registered Little Free Libraries in more than 100 countries. A central part of these efforts is ensuring that books are accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic status. 

Together, these initiatives offer a meaningful way to foster literacy, promote community engagement and inspire a love for reading.  The Yuba Sutter Rotary Night Club knows that by creating easy, free access to books and nurturing a love of reading, it aligns with both Rotary International and the creators of Little Free Libraries to contribute to a future where literacy is not a privilege but a right for all. And the banned books section is just icing on the cake! Local businesses or other organizations interested in sponsoring a next generation, portable Little Library should contact Yuba Sutter Rotary Night Club President, David Read, at 530-749-8065 or by email at [email protected].