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Elizabethton is among 28 communities that Brightspeed is teaming up with the Little Free Library to expand access to books in communities considered book deserts. Together, on National Read Across America Day, celebrated March 3, the two organizations announced Brightspeed’s sponsorship of 28 Little Free Library book-sharing boxes, which will be placed in markets across Brightspeed’s footprint.

“At Brightspeed, we believe that connectivity goes beyond just fast internet,” said Tali Kulbeda, head of local marketing and partnerships at Brightspeed. “We are proud to support our communities by sponsoring Little Free Library book-sharing boxes, providing access to knowledge and fostering a culture of learning for everyone. By expanding access to books and resources, we hope to empower individuals and enrich lives, one page at a time. Together, we’re building stronger, more connected communities—online and offline.”

The Little Free Library book-sharing boxes will be placed through LFL’s Impact Library Program, which grants Little Free Libraries and books to places where they are needed most. Among the anticipated locations in Tennessee for the Little Free Libraries, in addition to Elizabethton, are Johnson City, Kingsport, and Greeneville.

The Little Free Libraries will also be located in selected locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia.

Individuals and organizations in these select geographies are invited to apply to receive one of the 28 sponsored Little Free Libraries at https://littlefreelibrary.tfaforms.net/28.

The sunny yellow Little Free Libraries feature Brightspeed’s branding along with the messages “brighten your day with a good read” and “swap scrolling pages for turning them.”

“Brightspeed and Little Free Library might be on opposite ends of the digital spectrum, but we share a common goal of connectivity,” said LFL Executive Director Greig Metzger. “While Brightspeed connects people through high-speed internet, Little Free Library fosters connections through books. We are honored to be working with Brightspeed to bring book access to the under-resourced communities we jointly serve.”