Middle school students gift business with Little Free Library

A group of White County Middle School students spent a week learning about community service and volunteerism through a camp at Bushido Karate Center. Their hard work and creativity culminated in the creation of a Little Free Library, now located at Granny’s Soft Serve & More, on Bockman Way in downtown Sparta.

The T.A.S.K. Junior Camp, kicked off June 23, with the students diving into planning their community project. They chose a location, drafted a letter to request permission from the business owners, and drew detailed plans for their Little Free Library.

“Our campers learned early on about the importance of communication and planning,” Rachel Auberger, director of the T.A.S.K. Junior Camp, said. “By the end of the week, they will have a place where anyone can grab a book, leave a book, or just sit and read — all thanks to their hard work.”

On the first day, the students rolled up their sleeves to measure, cut, drill, and assemble the library structure. Along with learning basic carpentry skills, they were learning the value of working together towards a common goal.

“This was more than just building a library — it was about teamwork, patience, and seeing our ideas come to life,” said Auberger.

The second day was dedicated to decorating, where the campers sketched their designs onto the library and painted it with care. The students worked together, repainting and perfecting their artwork to make sure their project fit perfectly with the vibe of Granny’s Soft Serve & More, all while learning valuable lessons about collaboration and perseverance.

“They are learning the satisfaction of seeing their plans blossom into a reality. They are learning the joy of giving back to a community that they are a part of. They are learning that more can be accomplished together than alone,” Auberger said, explaining the camp’s purpose was to teach the campers life lessons that will serve them in the future.

On the third day, the campers completed their project by installing the Little Free Library at the ice cream shop. 

“It was a proud moment,” Auberger shared. “Seeing their hard work come to fruition and knowing it will serve the community was truly rewarding for them. They were so excited to see the finished project. They were talking about how they can’t wait to point it out to their friends and family and be able to say, ‘I made that!’”

As the camp wraps up, the campers hope that  visitors will “Take a Book, Leave a Book, or just sit and Read a Book” at the Little Free Library — a lasting symbol of all they learned.