Little Libraries

Founded by Dr. Lisa Chamberlain and the Stanford Pediatrics Advocacy Group, the Little Libraries provides a platform for students to meaningfully address disparities in school readiness. We have established strong partnerships with four mid-peninsula clinics - including Mayview, Ravenswood, Gardner and Fair Oaks. Each waiting room has been equipped with a “library”, where families can read and take home books for free. Undergraduate students will be direct ambassadors of the project. They will have the opportunity to host storytimes for children, develop learning materials, model best practices for and coach parents, and facilitate other literacy focused activities. They will also be involved in collaborative programming with related community organizations, such as libraries and schools. In parallel, the leadership of the Little Libraries will prioritize student education, through focused seminars, workshops, and discussions led by Dr. Chamberlain and field experts. Ultimately, the Little Library’s unique model will enable Cardinal Commitment students to serve the populations facing the greatest barriers to early education.