We recently connected with Thatyana Morales and have shared our conversation below.

Thatyana, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

I live in a neighborhood with many low-income residents and have witnessed firsthand the impact of inflation on the community. One day, my mother came across a little free library and asked about its purpose. When I explained, she suggested having our own. I thought, “Why not?” After researching the non-profit organization, we launched Howie. The community embraced Howie so well that we expanded with two mini-additions just months later. Now, Howie houses books for adults, Howiette for teenagers, and Howie Jr. for young children. Since 2022, my family and I have overseen this trio of little free libraries, witnessing the passage of hundreds of books. My goal is to make this as easy and accessible as possible for all residents.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Growing up with a love of reading instilled by my mom, I recognize that reading offers freedom and the opportunity for individuals to pursue education and enhance their lives. So when we were considering launching our own little free library for the community, we didn’t hesitate and just went for it!

Offering books to the community provides individuals with the chance to provide extra reading material for their children or find entertainment for themselves as a peaceful escape. We incorporated two brochure holder attachments filled with community resources, stocked with flyers from the city and local businesses. Adding a hook to Howie for dog walkers allows them to hang leashes, and sometimes, we attach other items like bookbags, coats, or accessories for free. The library also contains bookmarks, pens, mugs, and words of encouragement. Many of these resources we provide ourselves, but we also partner with local organizations and thrift stores to offload their extra books to offer through our little library. This is in addition to the numerous individuals who have stopped by the library dropping off many books to donate, which is a rewarding experience. It encourages people to be “community-centric” as they share their resources with one another, and also reminds us of how blessed we are to have these resources in the first place to share with others.

This is a service open to everyone, and with sufficient support and encouragement, it can evolve into a community where people genuinely care for one another. That is our ultimate objective with the little free library.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Throughout most of my life, I had a habit of holding onto the majority of books I read, even if they didn’t bring me as much joy and satisfaction as my personal favorites. While having a personal collection of books at home isn’t inherently wrong in my view, I found it unproductive to keep many books that I knew I wouldn’t read again or lend out. Once I established the little free library, I embraced the idea of parting with books that once brought me happiness but no longer do. This way, I can offer others the opportunity to enjoy them and create space on my bookshelves for new books that will inspire me.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I initially created an Instagram account for the little free library, and it remains the dedicated social media account for it. I began by following every other little free library account I encountered and participating in various group chats focused on offering advice and encouragement to fellow stewards. Remarkably, some even donated books from different states! Gradually, I extended my reach to follow various local organizations and businesses in the area. To enhance visibility, I attached a tag on the little free library with the Instagram handle, allowing passersby to easily follow Howie. The growth has largely been organic and hyper-local. It involves connecting with individuals facing similar situations or advocating for similar causes. The key is to be actively present in these groups, ensuring they become familiar with your name and your story.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @nhowardst_lfl