DOWAGIAC — Dowagiac’s First Little Free Library will be dedicated Saturday, May 12. 

The public is invited to the dedication of Dowagiac’s first Little Free Library at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 12, at City Hall.  Other locations will follow along with a public information day and workshop during the Summer in the City Festival.

Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that inspires a love of reading, builds community and sparks creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world, according to the organization. Little Free Libraries provide 24/7 access to books, encouraging a love of reading and provide neighborhoods an opportunity to foster pride in a common project.

Through Little Free Libraries, millions of books are exchanged each year, increasing access to books for readers of all ages and backgrounds.

One of the most successful ways to improve the reading achievement of children is to increase their access to books at their local library and at home, said organization members.

Organizers from Dowagiac Union Schools, Dowagiac District Library, Dowagiac Police Department, Cass County Council on Aging, the City of Dowagiac staff and area volunteers are collaborating on multiple locations for the city’s first Little Free Libraries.

Creative Little Free Libraries will be designed, built and installed across the city to provide 24/7 access to free books.  These Little Free Libraries are fostered by neighborhoods and organizations who maintain and stock the libraries with an assortment of books for all ages. The “take a book – leave a book” concept adds accessibility and variety to books available and allows citizens to share some of their favorite stories and titles with others, said city officials.