Siren’s Little Free Library
Our Little Free Library is so adorable and flourishing inside the boutique! Last summer we hosted a free book swap and had some leftover books, which led to researching if we could become a “Little Free Library” as a business for our neighborhood downtown. While researching the LFL specifics, I fell down the rabbit hole of intriguing information on literacy in general, which led to a desire to share this blog post.
According to the National Literacy Institute, in 2024, 21% of adults in the US were found to be illiterate, while 54% of adults had a literacy below a 6th grade reading level. From their website - “Illiteracy has become such a serious problem in the United States that 130 MILLION adults are now unable to read a simple story to their children”. The National Literacy Institute also reported that low levels of literacy costs the nation up to 2.2 TRILLION a year with 50% of those unemployed between the ages of 16-21 not considered to be functionally literate. In their latest data from 2024, The National Literacy Institute also reports that the state with the lowest adult literacy rate was California, and the highest literacy was New Hampshire. For children the lowest rate of literacy was New Mexico and the highest was Masachusetts.
Washington State scores a 274.7 literacy rate, with Oregon coming in at 273.2, which ranks us at a level 2 in the PNW. The scores are calculated as averages that fall between a range of 0-500, made up of five levels based on literacy skills. A level 2 score, like we have, means that the average person is able to make matches between a given text and information, such as paraphrasing or making low level inferences. Adults that have poor reading skills tend to live in communities that have fewer resources, like libraries and bookstores, which is why programs like The Little Free Library can make such an impact. Studies have repeatedly shown that books in the hands of children have a meaningful impact on improving literacy. The more books in or near the home, the more likely a child will learn and love to read. 61% of US children living at or below the poverty line have no books at home. Through Little Free Library book exchanges, millions of books are exchanged each year, profoundly increasing access to books for all ages and backgrounds.
There are over 200,000 Little Free Libraries registered in 128 countries! By providing greater, more equitable book access in neighborhoods worldwide, we work to strengthen communities and influence literacy outcomes. Siren is registered charter number 210,982 and we are so excited to be a part of that impact!!
Our Little Free Library is currently located inside our boutique. We are mostly open and sometimes closed. Please come by to exchange or take books anytime, you do not have to have an appointment or be a client!
Post your LFL books and tag us on social media #asirenslifeforme & @siren___________