Kindness & Compassion Through Books

Raising Funds for Kindness & Compassion


Hi, my name is Roby Summerfield, and  I am 13 years old. I built the first Little Free Library in my home town of Bakersville, North Carolina. Reading has always been a passion of mine, and I wanted to continue to share the love of reading and books with my local community. My curated  book collection includes books with subjects such as the empowerment of women and girls, cultural awareness and diversity, disability visibility, and environmental consciousness. 

I have created this fundraiser in order to sustain this project. The funds will be used to expand the curated book collection, assist in the maintenance of the library structure, and provide opportunity to hold community events focused on all things books!

By donating to this fundraiser, you spread kindness and compassion

Incentives for donors!

As a thank you to the donors of this fundraiser, I am offering two incentives.

The first 5 people to donate $100 and above will receive a handmade lino-cut print designed and made by me.

The first 25 people to donate any amount will receive a signed copy of “Roby’s Reads”. 

Roby’s Reads is a monthly newspaper column located in the Mitchell News-Journal. I provide a short summary and opinion of a book featured in the Little Free Library.



What is a Little Free Library

A Little Free Library is a small structure filled with books where anyone can borrow a book using the honor system. Unique from public libraries, they allow for books to be available 24-7 making them convenient for visitors and the local community. Some Little Free Libraries follow a system of “take a book, leave a book” but my vision was a checkout/return system which allows more access to all the books in the collection.

Little Free Libraries typically have a “steward”, someone who maintains the library structure and the books within the collection. As the library steward for the Bakersville Little Free Library, I also keep an active guest book, post updates on our Facebook page, and maintain the book list. This role has enabled me to connect with my community, and feel that I am making a difference close to home. I have also expanded beyond the library and created small community events (Read & ReUse) and started writing a monthly column in the local newspaper.


How It All Began

It was during the summer of 2018 when I came to my parents with an idea for a project. I was 12 years old and eager to explore the possibilities of change for my community. I wanted to build the first Little Free Library for Bakersville, a town of about 400 people located in the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina. I thought that a Little Free Library could benefit the youth in my community and encourage a love of books for all. I believe that everyone should have an opportunity to be educated about different cultures even if they are thousands of miles away. I feel that when we are educated about someone or something, it can open up a world of possibilities, maybe even a passion. Books did just that for me.

To start the process, I needed approval from the town. I reached out to the mayor of Bakersville, Charles Vines, who encouraged me to submit a proposal for my project to the town council. My written proposal included what, why and how I would build the library. I attended the town council meeting, submitted my proposal, and answered questions about my project. The town council unanimously approved my project early Fall 2018. 

I spent the next several months researching designs, taking special consideration to weather proofing. After gathering materials. My dad and I went to work co-building the structure. I learned to measure (twice), operate power tools, and meticulously paint the structure. The library was installed in early summer of 2019, and there was an official ribbon cutting ceremony with Mayor Vines and other supporters of the library on June 12.



About The Book Collection

 During the months of construction, I created a wish list of books I intended to include in the library. I sent a series of letters to publishers, bookstores, and authors explaining my project. Several wrote back and some even donated books! Most of the books in the collection have been acquired from used bookstores and  through donations from my parents, extended family, and close friends. Check out my book list  here.
Currently, our book collection centers around juvenile fiction and nonfiction. The money from this fundraiser will go to broadening the age range of the book collection and maintaining the structure.

Fun Facts

Check out the Little Free Library website   for a wealth of information about this unique organization.
Library stewards have the opportunity to register and obtain a charter number for their library with the Little Free Library organization. The charter number connects to a national mapping system for all registered Little Free Libraries in the world. The Bakersville Little Free Library charter number is #94509.
Follow us on Facebook  for updates about our collection, upcoming events, and to watch us grow.