Collage of little free library boxes. Title text reads "Little Free Libraries of CWPD" Image of a tall red library box with a baseball painted on a side has text "little free library take a book, return a book." It is labeled Schoolhouse. A blue box on a black post is labeled Yankee. A light blue box on a wooden post is labeled Robert F. Mays. A smaller red box on a black post is labeled Forest Field. An orange, blue, and yellow metal train has two library boxes, one red and one blue styled to look like small train cars. It is labeled Iron Horse. The final box has a multi-color square grid pattern on a light and dark brown pedestal box. It is labeled Pleasant Hill.Housing 51 parks, the Centerville-Washington Park District is your opportunity to explore your BIG backyard and all the amenities offered throughout our township. Within several CWPD parks, exploring your BIG backyard can be just the start of taking a journey to endless destinations through your Little Free Libraries.

Based on the work of Little Free Library, a nonprofit organization located in St. Paul, Minnesota, these stand-alone book-exchange boxes are designed to build community and inspire readers by expanding access to books. Enthusiastic readers can pursue the library boxes to find free books of interest to them or to leave one or two of their books for others to enjoy. Because these books are donated by passersby, you can expect to see a variety of genres and topics come together to make up the well-loved collections.

Many of these types of free libraries can be found in high-traffic spaces: neighborhood parks, outside government buildings and school district offices, or even in someone’s front yard! Within the Centerville-Washington Park District, park goers can find six Little Free Libraries – located in Forest Field, Iron Horse, Pleasant Hill, Robert F. Mays, Schoolhouse, and Yankee Parks. Most of these libraries in the parks are located near playgrounds, encouraging early literacy opportunities among families.

CWPD also works to bring literacy into its programming through an ongoing partnership with the Washington-Centerville Public Library and the “Nature Fun: An Outdoor Family Storytime” series. The free event welcomes families to enjoy the outdoors while participating in story time activities with staff from both the library and the park district. The next Nature Fun Storytime event will be held on Friday, May 29 at the Kennard Nature Nook in Grant Park before returning for its summer series on Fridays, June 26, July 17, and August 4 at the Schoolhouse Park Shelter.

In 2026, the United States of America is commemorating its 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As part of the celebration, America 250-Ohio is coordinating the unique events and experiences across Ohio’s 88 counties that play a role in crafting the state’s impact on American History. The Centerville-Washington Park District is joining the celebration by highlighting significant historical and community-building events within your park district that align with America 250-Ohio’s mission. May’s theme is Ohio Creates: Arts, Culture, & Literature. Ohio inspires discovery through innovation, art, and expression in every corner of the state.

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