Little Free Library to Expand Access to Indigenous Literature

Exeter, Rhode Island - The Tomaquag Museum has welcomed a small but impactful new addition to its campus: a Little Free Library. While the museum’s non-circulating reference library includes more than 1,500 publications, this miniature outdoor library significantly expands public access to Indigenous-authored and Indigenous-centered books beyond the museum walls.

Now officially part of the Little Free Library (LFL) network, the box invites community members to “Take a book. Share a book.” The nonprofit organization aims to build community, inspire readers, and expand book access for all. The collection was thoughtfully curated by the museum’s Education Manager, Chrystal Mars Baker, and features titles by Indigenous authors and works that accurately represent contemporary Indigenous experiences. “These books were selected to deepen readers’ understanding and appreciation of Indigenous issues and perspectives,” Baker said.

Adding a Little Free Library had been a goal for the museum for more than a year. The project came to fruition after the Tomaquag Museum was selected in a Little Free Library drawing, which awarded the museum the library box along with a donation of nearly 50 books to stock it. The prize is part of their Indigenous Library programs that champion diverse books through its Read in Color initiative. According to Heather Kisilywicz, the museum’s Archivist and Reference Librarian, the collection includes materials for all ages, ranging from children’s picture books and young adult fiction to a wide array of nonfiction titles.

The library’s vibrant exterior features artwork by Indigenous artist Silvermoon LaRose. Her colorful design draws inspiration from this year’s RI 250 theme, “Revolution: Asserting Sovereignty through Literature,” reflecting the power of storytelling and the written word in Indigenous self-determination. Each book includes a special bookplate offering the reader one free admission to the Tomaquag Museum to experience their new 250th exhibit.

Additional support for the initiative is provided by the Daughters of the American Revolution’s Narragansett–Cooke–Gaspee Chapter. The chapter is gifting new titles by Indigenous authors and then distribute them to Little Free Library locations statewide. Through their generosity, readers across Rhode Island will have access to recommended Indigenous literature, regardless of their ability to visit the museum’s library in Exeter.

A map of participating Little Free Library locations can be found at littlefreelibrary.org/map.

For more information about the Tomaquag Museum and its programs, please visit tomaquagmuseum.org or contact Heather Kisilywicz at heatherk@tomaquagmuseum.org.