Abby Bowers, a 22-year-old senior library science major at the University of Southern Mississippi, has taken on a project to repair and restock Little Free Libraries in Hattiesburg, bringing access to books for underserved communities.
Bowers, originally from Highland, Illinois, spearheaded the project as part of her involvement in the university’s Citizen Scholar Program, which requires 100 service hours and a community-led project before graduation. Her efforts focused on repairing and restocking seven Little Free Libraries across the city, with help from individuals and organizations on campus.
Inspired by a library science course that explored how librarians can serve populations unable to visit traditional libraries, Bowers decided to focus her service project on improving access to books in Hattiesburg.
“It’s been really nice to think about how this project is helping to put books in the hands of people who might not always have access to it,” Bowers said.
Despite careful planning, Bowers faced challenges in collecting enough books for the libraries.
“The longest time, finding books was my biggest problem,” she said.
She credited community donations for making the project possible, including contributions from Karlie Herndon, a curator for the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection at the McCain Library. Herndon, who receives pre-published young adult graphic novels that cannot be sold, became a key supporter, donating numerous books for the cause.
In addition to sourcing books, Bowers encountered issues with the physical condition of the libraries. Some required extensive repairs, including fixing broken roofs and doors or dealing with ant infestations. With the help of her fiancée, who has carpentry skills, and members of Phi Mu Alpha, a music fraternity on campus, Bowers was able to address these challenges and restore the libraries.
Now, with the project mostly complete, Bowers is looking to ensure the libraries continue to be maintained after she graduates. She hopes to find a community group to take over and keep the initiative alive.
