GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) — Children visiting the Green Bay Police Department will be able to pick out a book to take home from the department’s new free library.
The free library, taking the form of a blue bookcase in the shape of an old police box, like the one from Doctor Who, sits right in the lobby of the Police Department.
“This idea is something that we thought up a few months ago,” Police Chief Andrew Smith said in a Friday. “We think it’s really important that kids learn to read. We think it’s really important for kids to improve their reading skills.”
Kids will be able to take one book each from the library–and keep it.
“Often times we will have children come in to our lobby and they’ll be here for unpleasant business, police business,” Smith said. “We hope that by taking a free book it will make what might be an unpleasant day into a pleasant day.”
The Ashwaubenon Public School District built the case while the Green Bay Area Public School District helped to stock it with books.
“This is an opportunity,” said Green Bay Superintendent Dr. Michelle Langenfeld. “Any time we can get a book into a child’s hands we know it affords them a place to go and a space to learn and grow.”
The library is located inside the headquarters lobby at 307 S. Adams St.
To help keep the it stocked, members of the community are welcome to donate books. You can call the Green Bay Police Department’s non-emergency number (920) 448-3200 for more information on how to donate.
