By Katie Vasquez
The library at St Luke’s School in Whitestone is one of Gianna Polito’s favorite spots, where she can indulge in one of her passions.
“I do read a lot of books, because in E.L.A., we have a reading log where we read a book every single night,” said Polito, a 5th grader at St Luke’s School.
During the summer, Gianna and others from the neighborhood can continue reading with the little lending library outside the Queens school.
“It’s just for people to take, read a book, you know? And if they can’t make it to their local library or bookstore, go get a book to read. And if they bring it back, they can, but if they don’t want to, then they don’t have to,” said Caitlin McDonagh, the librarian at St Luke’s School.
Librarian Caitlin McDonagh came up with the idea during Catholic Schools Week as a way to get the community involved.
“I was trying to think of a way we could bring the community into our library, even though we couldn’t bring them directly into our library. and that’s how the idea to have a library outside came to be,” said McDonagh.
Principal Jan Brunswick thought it was a great idea.
“We’re always trying to find ways to include members of the parish and the greater community whose kids have long since graduated or to get involved at the school,” said St Luke’s School principal, Jan Brunswick.
Ms. McDonagh’s dad, who works in construction, created the structure, and Gianna beat out 19 other students in designing the mini library with her drawing of a rainbow.
“I came up with this design because reading transports you to a rainbow of possibilities that can take you anywhere in this, inside of any type of storybook,” said Polito.
Now they hope it will benefit families and neighbors for future generations.
“I think a lot of the things that we try to do that involve the community are just those types of things, things that long after any of us might not be here at St Luke, or that these things can last and someone can visit,” said Brunswick.