SJCOE Installs Little Free Libraries Across San Joaquin County
SJCOE Installs Little Free Libraries Across San Joaquin County
The sound of the new school year for the San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) didn’t begin with the traditional ring of a school bell. Instead, it opened with the rhythmic sound of pieces of wood being tapped into place.
During the annual SJCOE Leadership Retreat, staff rolled up their sleeves to construct and paint Little Free Libraries – tiny structures that would soon be installed in neighborhoods across the county to serve as hubs for literacy, connection, and a lifelong love of reading.
The hands-on project was more than a team-building exercise. It also supported San Joaquin County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Troy Brown’s priority to strengthen early literacy efforts, ensuring all students have the opportunity to be proficient in reading by the end of third grade.
The ability to read by the third grade is the most critical academic indicator for future success, as it sets the foundation for future learning. When students can confidently read by this milestone, they are better equipped to learn, grow, and realize their full potential.
Art students from Venture Academy Family of Schools joined in to make the libraries more inviting. For Amber Cabaccang-Plares’s class, this meant four weeks to transform the blank canvases into eye-catching landmarks for the communities they will be installed in. The class used their artistic abilities to freehand details on their natural sky and coral reef-themed libraries.
Beginning in February, the Little Free Libraries built during the SJCOE Leadership Retreat rolled out across the county. Each library is sponsored by an SJCOE department or community partner, ensuring they are stocked with books and well-maintained. Together, staff, students, and community members are helping create spaces where literacy can take root — and where every child has the chance to discover the joy of reading.