Libraries for Littles brings books into the homes of newborns and young children to kickstart great lives.
Over 50% of babies born in rural and small town hospitals are born to moms on Medicaid.
Libraries for Littles began as Books for Babies+ in 2015, providing one free book for newborns and their siblings at Warren General Hospital. Initial funding came from all seven Lutheran churches in Warren County: Berea, Pittsfield; Bethany, Sheffield; First, Warren; Hessel Valley, Chandler’s Valley; Saron, Youngsville, St. John, Pleasant Township; St. Paul, Warren.
When more funding became available, Books for Babies+ expanded in November 2025, becoming Libraries for Littles. Parents chose five books for the baby, and siblings made their choices from a wide selection on the Free Books Truck. Every family also took home a hand-sewn book bag thanks to the generosity of Quilter’s Night Out and other local volunteers.
With the January 2026 termination of inpatient labor and delivery services at Warren General, Libraries for Littles is actually expanding, connecting with families through the hospital’s prenatal and postpartum care and later this year at Warren Medical Group Pediatrics offices in Pleasant Township and Sheffield.
“Our continuing goal is to reach these neediest families,” says Ruby Wiles, Free Books for Kids Town founder and director. “Especially for the youngest children, the board books we give are sturdy, easy to handle and feature almost exclusively American-printed. We are pleased and proud to feature these American-printed books and to support the only board book publisher in the United States, in nearby Buffalo, New York.”
