Queen City Book Bank Celebrates Installation of 250th Little Free Library

The Queen City Book Bank (QCBB) proudly celebrated a major milestone with the unveiling of its 250th Little Free Library in the Greater Cincinnati area. The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place at the home of retired librarian and community literacy champion, Connie Harris, located in the Avondale area.

The event drew local neighbors, literacy advocates, and members of the media to commemorate QCBB’s growing network of Little Free Libraries (LFLs), which continue to connect communities and expand access to books across the region.

“This milestone is more than just a number,” said QCBB CEO Michelle Otten Guenther. “It represents hundreds of neighborhoods strengthened by the power of reading and thousands of children inspired by the stories they discover right in their own communities.”

Connie Harris, the newest LFL steward, was introduced to QCBB through her work with the Reading Bears, a volunteer group passionate about children’s literacy. As a retired librarian, Connie brings a lifetime of dedication to books and education. At the ceremony, she shared her motivation for hosting an LFL: “Reading has been a great value in my life. Reading is like breathing to me, and I want to share that with others in my community.”

The heartfelt event included remarks from Otten Guenther, words of thanks from Harris, and the ceremonial unveiling of the new Little Free Library, now stocked with books for all ages. Attendees also had the opportunity to tour the LFL and engage in conversations about how to become a steward or support literacy efforts throughout Cincinnati.

Since launching its Little Free Library program seven years ago, QCBB has placed libraries in schools, parks, community centers, and front yards – ensuring free and equitable access to books for thousands of residents. In total, Queen City Book Bank has distributed over 450,000 free books throughout the tri-state area.

“We know that kids who read at a young age are going to have future success, so our organization really doubles down on literacy support during those critical early years. We are incredibly grateful that this corner of our community now has this special box to not only read books, but to connect with neighbors like Connie.” said Otten Guenther.

---

About Little Free Libraries (LFL):
Little Free Libraries are free book-sharing boxes that inspire readers and strengthen communities. The Queen City Book Bank now proudly hosts 250 active Little Free Libraries in the tri-state area, each one connecting neighbors through the joy of reading and book access. Interested in hosting an LFL and becoming a volunteer steward? Reach out to Program Coordinator, Shymain Walker, at Shymain@queencitybookbank.org.

About Queen City Book Bank:

Queen City Book Bank is committed to unlocking the potential of our community through the power of literacy. Through tutoring, little free libraries, literacy outreach, and guaranteed access to books, QCBB helps ensure that every child has the tools they need to succeed. QCBB’s newest initiative, our curated book distribution program, provides 10 brand-new books each year to approximately 4,000 under-resourced elementary students across Greater Cincinnati. To learn more, visit: www.queencitybookbank.org.