New book exchange box comes to downtown Mars Hill, makes reading accessible 24/7

MARS HILL, N.C. (March 7, 2024) – Reading is now accessible 24/7/365 to Mars Hill residents and visitors thanks to the installation of the community’s first Little Free Library, a free book-exchange box. Located at Mars Hill United Methodist Church and adjacent to Mars Hill University, the first-of-its kind of library for Mars Hill and the second in Madison County was installed within steps of a preschool and retirement home.

*Left to Right: Retired Madison County Educator Connie Kramer, Mars Hill University Student Jordan Hulsey and Mars Hill United Methodist Church Pastor, Rev. Lisa Hartzog*

“Mars Hill’s Little Free Library is part of a nonprofit network of Little Free Libraries working toward expanding access to reading through a network of book-exchange boxes,” said Mars Hill University student Jordan Hulsey, the founder of the town’s first Little Free Library. “Parents are encouraged to bring their children to the Little Library to take a free book while leaving a book for another child to read.”

The new book exchange box is already building community, inspiring readers and expanding book access to Madison County residents and beyond. Since the very first Little Free Library in 2009, more than 4 million books have been shared across 121 countries.

“We are very excited about this new opportunity to help serve our community,” said the Rev. Lisa Hartzog, senior pastor at Mars Hill United Methodist Church.”We are very proud that Jordan is a part of our congregation and doing such great community work with us.”

The newest of 175,000 Little Free Libraries worldwide was made possible in part from a donation of an exchange box by local resident and Connie Kramer, an elementary teacher who taught Madison County students to read for more than 34 years and wife of the late Robert (Herr) Kramer, a professor of German at Mars Hill University. Through a collaboration with Hulsey, a second-year business administration and community & nonprofit leadership major from Sanford, the Little Library was installed, painted, filled and registered. Since then, Hulsey has created and managed both Instagram and Facebook accounts for the Library.

“I love the opportunity for our church in collaboration with the University community to put books into the hands of our community and especially children,” said Cramer. The education of children has been my life’s work and I hope folks will take advantage of this opportunity.”

Sponsored by Mars Hill United Methodist Church and supported by members of the faith community who have ensured the library remains full of books, the Little Library is open 24/7/365 and is located next to Mars Hill’s first Little Free Food Pantry, a collaboration between the Church and a local Girl Scout Troop.

“I am excited to continue to work on this project, and I cannot wait to see the positive impact it will have on this community that I love,” said Hulsey.

Located at 201 South Main Street in Mars Hill, the Little Free Library is open to all 24 hours a day, seven days a week 365/6 days a year. To learn more about the Little Library, visit marshillumcnc.org.

Media Contact: Heath Nettles
910-995-0759 // email@heathnettles.com

About Mars Hill United Methodist Church

Mars Hill United Methodist Church is an inclusive, affirming and reconciling faith community located in Madison County, N.C., adjacent to Mars Hill University. Here we welcome, affirm, celebrate and love every child of God. No exceptions No exclusions. To learn more, visit marshillumcnc.org or follow @mars_hill_umc.