LITTLE FREE LIBRARY AT FIRST CHURCH

What is a Little Free Library?

A Little Free Library is, essentially, a public bookshelf. Traditionally, Little Free Libraries are places where anyone walking by can take or leave a book. There is even a registry of Little Free Libraries online!

Why choose to focus on books about transgender characters?

The idea for this project came when news was spreading about book bans across the country that were aimed at keeping books with LGBTQ+ representation, and specifically trans representation, away from children. This is certainly not the only issue facing trans youth in our country today, and we see this project as one of many ways to fight transphobia and discrimination.

The RE Committee at First Church, along with other volunteers, felt like this project would be a way that we could not only support transgender and gender non-conforming youth in our own congregation, but beyond. Our historic building and our location on Essex Street mean that tourists regularly walk by our church and grounds. We hope that the books we use to stock our library find their way all over the country, and maybe even all over the world.

Four Goals

1. To make books with transgender representation—books that are being banned in many parts of the country—available to anyone walking by our church, whether they are members of our community or visiting tourists

2. To help children who are transgender, gender questioning, or gender-nonconforming see themselves represented in media

3. To help cisgender children learn about the experience of their trans friends and community members

4. To affirm and support the LGBTQ+ community here in Salem and beyond

Interested in helping make this Little Free Library happen? Do you have skills that would help us, or recommendations for books that we should consider?

Send an email to Theo at fcreligioused@gmail.com to get connected.