Just outside the campus fence of Waitz Elementary School stands a large blue and yellow box that is now officially open for business. It is a new community library service being provided by the McAllen Evening Rotary Club, called the Free Little Library. It is the first one of several that the Rotarians plan to put up throughout the McAllen and Mission area.
Rene Cantu, McAllen Evening Rotary Club representative, said the Little Library operates on the honor system. It is stocked with a variety of books for anyone in the community. “Leave a book, take a book,” Cantu explained. He added that this is a part of their initiative to improve upon literacy rates in the area, by increasing access to books.
Waitz Elementary School principal, Rubicela Rodriguez said her students and staff are ecstatic to have the first Little Library. She feels it will be a great addition to the community in the school’s area by providing easy access to books any day of the year.
The McAllen Evening Rotary Club will continue to maintain the Free Little Library as well as help provide books as needed. Cantu indicated the Molina Foundation helped provide books for the service.
Pictured are Waitz Elementary School students and staff, along with Rotarians as they prepared to officially open the Free Little Library with a ribbon cutting. Also pictured is the Little Library as it was being stocked with its first supply of books.