CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The West Virginia Women’s Alliance (WVWA) will host a ribbon-cutting celebration on September 25 from 5:30–6:30 p.m. at the Kanawha City Community Center to officially launch its Little Leadership Libraries Initiative, a community literacy project designed to put books and educational resources directly into the hands of children and families while inspiring leadership, civic engagement and a lifelong love of learning. The event will take place at the Kanawha City Community Center (3511 Venable Ave SE, Charleston, WV 25304).
Made possible through the City of Charleston’s Hearts of Our Neighborhood Grant, the initiative will install three Little Leadership Libraries in public spaces across Charleston, providing free access to books focused on leadership, civic engagement, women’s history, and Appalachian and West Virginia stories.
“The Hearts of Our Neighborhood program supports projects that strengthen our community and create opportunities for residents,” said Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin. “The Little Leadership Libraries Initiative helps do both by making educational resources more accessible and encouraging civic engagement.”
The project is led by the West Virginia Women’s Alliance in partnership with the Kanawha County Public Library, Read Aloud West Virginia, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of West Virginia and the YWCA Kitty Dooley Center for Community Enrichment.
In honor of the late Dolly Parton and the Alliance’s partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of West Virginia, the September 25 date was selected as a nod to Dolly’s iconic “9 to 5” anthem and a celebration of her extraordinary legacy of championing children and literacy. The occasion also recognizes the more than 52,000 children currently served by the Imagination Library across West Virginia.
The libraries will be installed at the following locations:
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Kanawha City Community Center (3511 Venable Ave Charleston, WV 25304)
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Roosevelt Community Center (502 Ruffner Ave, Charleston, WV 25311)
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Kanawha County School Board Park (200 Elizabeth St, Charleston, WV 25311)
The libraries will also feature books by and about West Virginians, along with stories celebrating Appalachian history, culture and community. Selections include Our Charlie West Treasure Hunt by Andy Richardson and Emma Carpenter, which introduces young readers to Charleston through a locally inspired adventure, and Take the Next Step: Leadership, Mental Toughness, and Creating a Winning Culture by Charleston native, coach and author Dr. John Pennington. Other selections highlight notable West Virginians and Appalachian voices, helping readers connect leadership and learning with people, places and stories closer to home.
“Reading opens doors to opportunity, imagination and leadership,” said Meghan Moses, President of the West Virginia Women’s Alliance. “Through the Little Leadership Libraries, we hope to put inspiring books directly into the hands of children and families and help young people see themselves, their communities and what is possible for their futures reflected in the stories they read. We are grateful to the City of Charleston and our community partners for helping bring this project to life.”
Community members and media are invited to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony, hear from project partners, and learn more about the initiative. Light faire will be provided.
Together, we are building a culture of leadership for our city and state- one book at a time. To learn more, visit https://www.thewvwa-ef.org/little-libraries.
About the West Virginia Women’s Alliance
The West Virginia Women’s Alliance works to improve opportunities and outcomes for women, children and families across West Virginia through education, advocacy, community partnerships and programs that strengthen leadership and civic participation.
