Make an Impact,
One Library at a Time

A Northgate High School If I Could Change the World service project with our Little Free Antiracist Libraries

What you’ll find on this page

Your service project has five connected steps:

  • Learn about Rise Up Against Racism and our books

  • Visit and assess your assigned library

  • Clean the library and surrounding area

  • Inventory the current collection and identify needs

  • Return to restock the library with new books

This page is your hub for:

Your 5-Step Service Project

This project is about more than cleaning and restocking a Little Free Library. You’ll learn why these libraries exist, take responsibility for caring for one community location, and help make sure it continues to offer thoughtful, inclusive books for local readers.

Plan to complete the project in several stages. Your work may include time at home reviewing our book collection, two visits to your assigned library, cleanup and maintenance, collection assessment, documentation, and restocking.

Suggested time commitment

Step 1 Learn + Explore: Approx. 45–60 minutes

Step 2 Assess Your Library: Approx. 45–60 minutes

Step 3 Clean + Care: Approx. 45–60 minutes

Step 4 Inventory + Report: Approx. 45–60 minutes

Step 5 Return + Restock: Approx. 45–60 minutes

Together, these activities are designed to provide approximately five hours of meaningful service.

How to Complete Your Project

Step 1: Learn about our work

Before visiting your library, spend some time learning about Rise Up Against Racism and the purpose of our Little Free Antiracist Libraries.

Our libraries were created to make diverse, inclusive books easier for families to discover and enjoy. The collection centers stories and perspectives that have historically been underrepresented on bookshelves.

Before you go:

  • Learn about Rise Up Against Racism and our Little Free Antiracist Library program

  • Review our recommended book list

  • Pay attention to the types of stories, authors, cultures and experiences represented

  • Choose 3 to 5 books that stand out to you

  • Think about why those books belong in a Little Free Antiracist Library

As you review the list, consider:

  • What do these books have in common? Whose stories are being centered? Why might it matter for children and families to have easy access to these books?

Step 2: Visit and assess your library

Before making any changes, take a good look at your assigned library and document what you find.

Take “before” photos

Take clear photos of:

  • The outside of the library

  • The books currently on the shelves

  • The area surrounding the library

  • Anything that appears damaged or in need of attention

Vertical photos and short 5 to 10 second videos are especially helpful if you’re comfortable taking them.

Review the current books

Look through the books currently in the library.

Our Little Free Antiracist Libraries are intended to feature books that celebrate diversity, promote equity and inclusion, center underrepresented voices, and help readers understand experiences beyond their own.

Set aside books that are:

  • Torn, badly damaged or no longer usable

  • Random titles that clearly do not support the purpose of the library

  • Outdated or inappropriate for the collection

What to do with removed books

  • Recycle books that are badly damaged or not suitable for donation.

  • Donate books that are still in good condition to a local public library or another appropriate donation site.

Step 3: Clean and care for the library

Once you’ve reviewed the books, give the library itself some attention.

Bring:

  • A small trash bag

  • Mild soapy water in a spray bottle or small container

  • A rag or paper towels

  • Gardening gloves

  • A sturdy box or bag for removed books

  • Your phone for photos and notes

At the library:

  • Wipe down the shelves, interior walls, door and handle

  • Clear out cobwebs, leaves and debris

  • Pick up any litter around the library

  • Pull small weeds around the base if needed

  • Check whether the door opens, closes and latches properly

  • Look for faded, damaged or missing signage

  • Check the surrounding area for kindness rocks or other community elements and tidy them if needed

If you notice damage or something that needs repair, take a photo rather than trying to fix it yourself.

Step 4: Inventory the collection

Before leaving, take a closer look at what remains in the library. Your inventory will help us determine which books should be provided for your restocking visit. You do not need to record every title.

Instead, estimate:

  • Approximately how many books are currently in the library

  • Picture books / younger readers

  • Elementary or early chapter books

  • Middle grade books

  • Young adult books

  • Adult books, if any

  • Books in languages other than English

Then think about the collection as a whole.

What does the library need?

Make note of:

  • Age groups that need more books

  • Topics or perspectives that seem well represented

  • Topics, cultures or experiences that seem underrepresented

  • Any other gaps you notice

Send your inventory, notes and photos to Mrs. Honey.

She will use your information to help provide books that make sense for your specific library.

Step 5: Return and replenish

Once you receive your books, return to the same library to complete your project.

Restock the library

  • Add the new books neatly to the shelves

  • Arrange them so covers and titles are easy to see when possible

  • Avoid packing the library so tightly that books are difficult to remove

  • Make sure the space feels inviting and organized

Document the finished library

Take:

  • A clear photo of the refreshed shelves

  • A photo of the outside of the library

  • A few short videos if you’d like

  • A note of approximately how many books you added

This is the part where you get to see the impact of all the work you’ve done.

Safety note

If you arrive and something does not feel safe or comfortable, do not try to fix it yourself. Leave the area and let your Rise Up contact know what you saw.

Thank you for helping keep our Little Free Antiracist Libraries clean, full, and welcoming for every reader.

— Co-founders of Rise Up Against Racism: Meg, Sarah & Jenny