With schools poised to let students out for the summer, making sure that all children across New Castle County have access to books is essential. According to the National Summer Learning Association, “The ‘summer slide’ is what often happens to disadvantaged children during the summer months. They tread water at best, or even fall behind, while higher-income children build their skills steadily over the summer months.”
So, this week, Success Won’t Wait volunteers got busy making sure that nearby Little Free Libraries were well stocked with a variety of tried-and-true favorites for kids of all ages. Little Free Libraries offer a novel solution to the summer slide by providing an ever-changing collection of titles, available 24/7/365. And it seems to be working. Since the organization’s founding in 2010, over 400 million books have been shared!
The importance of this type of book access can’t be overstated. The United States is facing a growing literacy crisis; more than 30 million adults cannot read or write above a third-grade level. And, studies have repeatedly shown that simple book access has a measurable impact on improving childhood literacy. The more books in or near the home, the more likely a child will learn and love to read. (For additional information on the importance of book access, please visit our recent article “What Does “Book Access” Really Mean and How Does it Benefit Children of all Ages?”)
At Success Won’t Wait, we are proud to be a partner in this worthwhile endeavor, and have even opened our own official Little Free Library in conjunction with neighbor Ice Cream Delight. The Little Free Libraries vision, “a book for every reader,” is exactly what we’ve been working toward since 2002.
Follow along for additional Little Free Library restocking and news throughout the summer!
About The Little Free Library Organization
The Little Free Library organization is a non-profit based in St. Paul, Minnesota which offers residents across the country (and around the globe), crucial access to books. As of 2026, over 200,000+ of these independent, mini libraries are located in over 128 countries, and are entirely volunteer led and operated.
If you’d like to get involved and start a Little Free Library book exchange, or use their map to find a book sharing box near you, visit Little Free Libraries.
About Success Won’t Wait
Founded in 2002, Success Won’t Wait is a not-for-profit literacy organization based in Wilmington, Delaware. To learn more about Success Won’t Wait’s literacy projects, how to donate used books in Delaware, volunteer your time, or host a book drive, please click on the About Us tab above.
And, if your program, school or center needs assistance with books, please Contact Us to learn more. Read now, because success won’t wait!