Little Free Library opens in front of Monadnock Inn in Jaffrey

In front of the Monadnock Inn on Main Street in Jaffrey, there is a new addition – a little green box on a post, filled with books. 

It is a Little Free Library, a take-one-leave-one book box for anyone who might come by with an interest. It’s the latest to be installed by the New Hampshire state chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, as part of a project to increase access to books and promote literacy.

On June 21, members of the Mary Varnum Platts DAR chapter in Peterborough were on hand to see the Little Free Library dedicated, along with Kay Sternenberg, the current state regent of the New Hampshire DAR organization. It’s the last library she had the chance to dedicate before her term as state regent officially retires at the end of the month. Each regent chooses a project to focus on for their three-year term, and for Sternenberg, it was installing a Little Free Library in every one of the DAR’s 25 chapter areas, and fill them with books.

On the box, a plaque declares the motto of the project: “Literacy is the Language of Liberty.”

“My mom was a book dealer, and I grew up with books everywhere. I think it’s so important to have books in the hands of children and to have books available to people,” Sternenberg said. “The only way to increase reading literacy is to have books available, that’s why I’m so passionate about this project.”

When addressing members of the Mary Varnum Platts chapter, Sternenberg said free access to books is more important now than ever. The Jaffrey Little Free Library was filled with books for varying age levels, including children’s books. 

“Today, in the United States, more than 30 million adults cannot read or write above a third-grade level,” Sternenberg said. “Studies have repeatedly shown that books in the hands of children have a meaningful impact on improving literacy. The more books in or near the home, the more likely a child will learn and love to read. Sixty-one percent of U.S. children living at or below the poverty line have no books at home.”

The Little Free Library project has helped to place 200,000 book boxes similar to the one installed in Jaffrey since its inception. 

While Jaffrey’s box was the last she’ll dedicate in her official role, Sternenberg said she will also be dedicating the final four to cap off her project in July – three on National Guard reservations, and one in Nottingham. 

“It’s been a successful project,” Sternenberg said.