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 Books-n-Parks

Free Books! Fresh Air! Welcome to Books-n-Parks

A joint program of the Department of Parks, Recreation & Trees and the New Haven Free Public Library.

Why put books in parks?
To encourage reading in our parks!

The Board of Park Commissioners, the Department of Parks, Recreation & Trees, and the New Haven Free Public Library welcome you to our Book-n-Parks program. Weatherproof yellow boxes filled with free books are popping up in parks across the city. New Haven Reads is supplying the books, and neighborhood volunteers are restocking the boxes as needed.

Volunteers needed!

Duties are simple:

• Pick up books from New Haven Reads and fill “your” book box.
• Check the box a couple times a week in warm weather, a couple times a month in cold weather.
• Develop a list of genres that move and those that remain week after week.
• Call New Haven Reads to schedule book pick up, specifying neighborhood preferences.

Want a book box in your neighborhood park?

If you – an individual or community group - would like a book box for your neighborhood park, email project coordinator.

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How do you participate?

• Pick a book. Relax and read. When your eyes need a break, take in the lovely scenery, or watch your child play.
• If you like the book, TAKE IT HOME! Keep it, return it, or pass it on. Please do not sell it or throw it in the trash!
• To donate books to Books-n-Parks, please contact New Haven Reads at (203) 752-1923.
• If you have gently used books that you’d like to add to your local Books-n-Parks box, by all means go ahead.
• VOLUNTEER to fill a book box. Click here to email us

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Locations

If your park does not receive a box during this first season, and has a dedicated group of people ready to fill a box, email the project at booksnparks@gmail.com.

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History

Books-n-Parks originated with Commissioner David Belowsky’s notion that parents and caregivers should have something to read while accompanying their children to the city’s playgrounds. His colleagues agreed that readily available books would encourage people to read more and spend more time in our parks. Parks Director, Bob Levine, and City Librarian, Jim Welbourne, collaboratively developed Books-n-Parks with the help and support (and books!) of New haven Reads. As of summer 2009, the yellow Books-n-Parks boxes grace eight parks in diverse neighborhoods across New Haven.

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