N.L.’s travelling book boxes were the little free libraries of the early 1900s

AI Briefing

• – A British medical missionary, Dr. Wilfred Grenfell, was inspired to create and distribute free book boxes to fishermen in Newfoundland after a chance meeting with a man seeking new books.
• – The 'Little Free Libraries' of the early 20th century were launched by Grenfell, who recognized the importance of literacy and education for the community.
• – These book boxes provided access to reading material for isolated fishermen, bridging the gap between their isolated lives and the written word.