You may have spotted small, mailbox-like structures popping up in neighborhoods around Bakersfield. But instead of letters, they’re filled with something just as valuable: books.
These are Little Libraries, part of a growing grassroots effort to address a literacy crisis impacting students and communities across the city.
A Reading Crisis in the Classroom
Megan Murphy, a veteran teacher with the Kern High School District and a passionate advocate for education, has been a teacher for 15 years and at West High School for 5 years. She’s watched literacy levels steadily decline.
“West High’s literacy rate is around a fifth-grade reading level,” Murphy explained. “One of our biggest goals is to increase literacy.”In response, Murphy founded the Little Librarians Club—a student-led initiative determined to put books into the hands of those who need them most. The club recently installed eight free community libraries in front yards across West Bakersfield.
Filling in the Gaps
The idea started when students realized that while other parts of Bakersfield had Little Free Libraries, their neighborhoods were lacking…