When Rockdale Career Academy English teacher Allisa Hall heard her students complain that they couldn’t easily get to a bookstore or public library, she decided the community needed a free lending library open 24 hours a day.

Now with a grant from Lowe’s Toolbox for Educators and the help of three other RCA teachers, the library is open for borrowers. Located in the parking lot near the main entrance of the school, the library consists of three bird house-shaped structures with books inside. 

“These houses are waterproof and nicely self-contained,” said Hall. One of the houses is on a shorter post, making it easily accessible to smaller children.  

Anyone, adult or child, can come by, browse through the collection, and borrow a book. When the borrower is finished with the volume, he can bring it back and get another. Currently there are about 150 titles available.

“Fred Avery, RCA construction teacher, and his classes did all of the construction,” Hall said. “They built the bird houses, built the benches, and dug the path. Agriculture teacher Kevin Surrette’s classes installed the nearby planters and benches. Manufacturing teacher Amy Carter and her classes did the engraving of the signs.”

“I see it as a resource that parents, students, and the entire community can access, particularly in the summer months or other times when school is not in regular session.” Hall said. “I hope they enjoy it and take care of it.”