Little Libraries Deliver Worlds of Imagination at COP Houses

Children across Racine can now take advantage of the local version of the littlest library idea. Blue boxes are now at COP houses across the city – and at the Law Enforcement Center – and filled with books kids can borrow without needing a library card.

The slogan is “Need a book, take a book, have a book, leave a book,” but leaving a book isn’t a requirement.

“By stopping by one of the COP houses or the LEC, children can grab a book whenever they like, not just when they see an officer,” said RPD Lt. David Wohlgemuth.

The neighborhood library boxes were the idea of Racine County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Tracy Hintz to expand the Cops ‘n Kids/Racine Police Department’s Squad Car Summer Book program. Our friends at Racine Uncovered were there to capture the moment when Hintz was surprised with the delivery at the Law Enforcement Center.

“Thank you, everyone,” Hintz posted online later.

The boxes were donated by The Journal Times, RUST-OLEUM donated the paint and supplies and COP unit officers spent hours sanding down the boxes and repainting them.

Officer Kristy Walls is a member of the COP unit that worked on the boxes. She said the only COP house without a box is the 6th Street location because there aren’t any summer programs there. Hintz

“Since we only had six (boxes), and 6th Street is the only house that currently does not have any summer children’s programs, (that house) was left out,” she said. “Look for one in the future, but we thought it might be better used by the families visiting loved ones at the LEC.”

Anyone interested in donating books to the blue boxes can drop them off at the COP houses where the boxes are located, at the Cops ‘n Kids Reading Center or at the Racine Police Department.

COP houses on Jacato Drive, on Villa Street and at the Law Enforcement Center received their boxes Friday. The remaining three boxes will be delivered Monday.