Construction of a little library outside of the Newton Building was completed this week as part of a service project by the Georgia Southern English Honors Society in order to expand reading in the GS community.

“Our Georgia Southern University chapter of Sigma Tau Delta wanted to impact our school community through literature,” Brady Gwynn, president of the English Honors Society said.

The small structure will provide free books for students, as well as provide a place where students can drop off books for others to read, which encourages interaction.

“As students walk to class they can take and share books with their peers, engaging with each other through literature,” Gwynn said. “This community service project was only possible through the donations and support we received from both individuals and local businesses.”

The idea of a small public bookcase was inspired by Little Free Library, which is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) founded in 2009 in Hudson,Wisconsin by Todd Bol. The purpose of the organization is “To inspire a love of reading, build community, and spark creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world,” according to the group’s website.

The non-profit organization has over 75,000 public book exchanges in 88 different countries.

The organization has received many honors, including from the National Book Foundation, the Library of Congress and the Library Journal. The group uses funds and donations towards book exchanges and creating a program called the Action Book Club.

The little building will stay outside of the Newton building indefinitely.

Nathan Woodruff, The George-Anne News Reporter, gadaily@georgiasouthern.edu