City of Phoenix teams with Habitat for Humanity to encourage reading

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton shared his love of reading this morning.

A group of third and fourth graders from Heard Elementary School gave the city leader their full attention, which is the purpose behind the Free Little Library they gathered to celebrate.

"Reading is crucial that just opens up so many doors for our children, whether it's non-fiction or fiction books, just the opportunity to engage in a book and just think about the possibilities of their future, what's currently going on in their lives and perhaps becoming writers themselves," Principal Zeffy Magna said.

The city teamed up with Habitat for Humanity and the goal is to place hundreds of Free Little Libraries in businesses like Roy's Barbershop on 19th Avenue.

"We build homes, that's what Habitat does, this little library was donated, the materials were donated, it was put together by volunteers painted by volunteers," said Jason Barlow of Habitat for Humanity.

This kids can take a book and leave a book and they're encouraged to read as often as they can.

"I feel really grateful and I hope that I will come here more than I imagine," one girl said.