The Little Library Project

Thanks to funding from the Foundation of the Atlantic City Free Public Library, the "Atlantic City Free Public Library Little Library Project" makes books even more accessible to the community. The library currently provides two Little Library locations in the city: at O'Donnell Park (since April 2023) and Absecon Lighthouse (since May 2024). The library at Absecon Lighthouse is named “Lightkeeper Buddy’s Little Library” in honor of George “Buddy” Grover, the former lighthouse keeper who passed away in 2024 at the age of 96.

A Little Library is a book-sharing box that is accessible 24/7, removing barriers to book access to all members of the community. Little Free Libraries promote neighborhood book exchanges in public bookcases, where people are encouraged to take a book from the box and share one for somebody else to enjoy. In addition to having a book-sharing box, the Little Library locations include a bench for those who wish to read.

Atlantic City Free Public Library staff maintain the Little Library, regularly stopping by to check on its condition and, when necessary, to supply more books. It will contain books for people of all ages. Many of the books included in the Little Library were donated by the Bridge of Books Foundation.

This Atlantic City site is an official location of the Little Free Library organization – a nonprofit based in Minnesota. The first Little Free Library book-sharing box was built in 2009 in Wisconsin. There are now more than 175,000 registered Little Free Libraries around the world. More than 400 million books have been shared through registered Little Free Libraries, profoundly increasing book access for readers of all ages and backgrounds.

Civic associations, ward leaders and members of the community are invited to contact the library about the possible placement of a Little Free Library in one of their nearby parks. Please contact Nathan Munoz at the library at (609) 345-2269 or by email at nmunoz(at)acfpl.org for more information.

O'Donnell Park ribbon cutting - April 2023		A mother and her kids were among the first to enjoy the Little Library at O'Donnell Park
Absecon Lighthouse ribbon cutting - May 2024		The Little Library and bench at Absecon Lighthouse