Press Releases

PA Cyber Installed Little Free Libraries at Midland Borough Building

Oct 19, 2022

From left to right: Academic Advisor Tom Ford, Chief Academic Officer Francie Spigelmyer, Principal Danielle Phillips, Middle School Student Abby Kane, Assistant Principal Kim Collins, and CEO Brian Hayden

MIDLAND – PA Cyber students, staff, and community members celebrated the installation of two little free libraries at the Midland Borough Building on October 18 at 3 p.m. A member of the middle school book club, Abby, performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony. One library contains books for teens and the other contains books for younger ages. The community is welcome to visit the libraries and take and share books. 

PA Cyber students and staff celebrated the occasion with borough staff and local business owners. 

“The little free library program is another component of Midland reconnecting as a community,” said David Tye, Midland Borough Manager. 

“I’m glad so many people came out to show their support,” said Tom Ford, an academic advisor and book club advisor at PA Cyber. “We worked hard to get the libraries ready. I’m looking forward to putting these to good use in the community.” 

The Ashtabula Star Beacon donated two newspaper vending boxes to serve as the library housings. Lincoln Park Paint Works refurbished, designed artwork for, and painted the library boxes over the summer. 

The middle school book club came up with the idea to create a little free library after they read Property of the Rebel Librarian by Allison Varnes. Book club advisors met and organized a schoolwide book drive that was launched during Reading Across America Week (March 1–March 5) and ran through May 19. Through the generosity of PA Cyber students, teachers, and staff, more than 20 totes of books were collected to stock the little free libraries. The dedication ceremony was held during National Friends of Libraries Week.

“I’m a firm believer in the potential you can unlock in a child when they develop an appetite for reading,” said John Tan, owner of the Taitan Game Shop in Midland.

Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Their vision is a Little Free Library in every community and a book for every reader. They believe all people are empowered when the opportunity to discover a personally relevant book to read is not limited by time, space, or privilege.

Abby Kane, a member of the Adventures in Reading Club, prepared to cut the ribbon at the dedication ceremony.

See more photos from the ceremony.