Burros, Bikes, Boat, and Camels 📚🚴‍♂️🐫

Albert Einstein once famously said, “The only thing you need to know is the location of the library.”

Indeed, libraries are a treasure trove of information, and can serve as the heart of a community.

But where a brick and mortar, full sized library is not available, creative solutions are employed to bring books to the people.

Take Luis Soriano, a teacher who brings books to rural areas of Colombia. The mode of transportation: Alfa and Beto, two donkeys who wear book filled saddlebags. The children rejoice when Luis and his “biblioburros” come into view. They wouldn’t have access to books (let alone new ones), without his efforts.

Or, Hernando Guanlao, who runs a free community library from his home in Manila, Philippines. Even sweeter, Hernando also runs a “book bike” service where he bikes books to impoverished communities in Manila.

The boat is named Epos, and it travels the Fjords, functioning as a floating library. For the Fall and Winter months, its small crew travels to 250+ small island communities, delighting the patrons with fresh books.

The camels of the Kenyan Camel Library don’t just carry books. The length of the journey requires camping gear for the traveling librarians who journey through the desert to nomadic communities. These communities would otherwise be illiterate (no books = no reading). But the hump-backed crew has been running this outreach program since 1985.

In the UK, iconic telephone boxes have been repurposed into miniature community libraries. Little library boxes abound, and even book vending machines are put to use, making reading materials accessible to a wider audience.

The Value of Access to Reading Materials

Access to reading materials is vital for personal growth, education, and the development of a love for learning. Here’s why these unique libraries are so important:

1. Educational Opportunities: Books provide essential educational resources, especially in underserved or remote areas. Initiatives like Biblioburro ensure that even the most isolated communities have access to learning materials.

2. Fostering a Love of Reading: When books are readily available, people are more likely to develop a lifelong love of reading. Little Free Libraries and phone box libraries make it easy for everyone to discover and enjoy books.

3. Building Community: These libraries bring people together, creating a sense of community and shared purpose. They encourage people to share their favorite books and connect with others who have similar interests.

4. Promoting Literacy: Literacy is a cornerstone of personal and societal development. Access to books through these innovative libraries helps improve literacy rates and empowers individuals with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.

Our Commitment to Promoting Literacy

At White Lake Press, we are inspired by these incredible initiatives and are committed to promoting literacy and access to wholesome literature. We believe that every person deserves the opportunity to experience the joy of reading and the benefits it brings. Our curated selection of books is designed to entertain, educate, and inspire, fostering family bonding and emotional growth.

We invite you to explore our collection and share the love of reading with your family and community. Together, we can make a difference by supporting initiatives that provide access to books and promote literacy worldwide.

Thank You for Trusting White Lake Press

Thank you for being a part of the White Lake Press family. We are honored to support you in your journey to provide enriching and wholesome reading materials for your children. Together, we can celebrate the power of books and the impact they have on our lives.

Warm regards,

Miriam Monette
Co-founder, White Lake Press