‘Stories in the Streets’ promotes literacy and community connections

Students in the School District of the City of York are helping inspire a love of reading while strengthening connections across their community through a unique project that combines literacy, creativity and hands-on learning.

As reported by WGAL News 8, York High STEAM students recently designed, built, painted and installed 10 little libraries at schools throughout the district as part of the district’s “Stories in the Streets” initiative. The project gave students an opportunity to apply skills in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics while creating a lasting resource for younger readers.

From developing designs and constructing the libraries to painting them and organizing book collections, students were involved in every stage of the project. Each library features a unique student-created theme, reflecting both creativity and school pride. Designs range from candy-inspired creations to school spirit-themed libraries, making each installation a distinctive addition to its school community.

Students also helped collect more than 1,000 books to fill the libraries. Kirialys Mendoza Roman said the book drive was one of her favorite parts of the project. “I can say that two other girls and I collected over 600 of them. I know we have more than 1,000 books,” she told WGAL.

For many students, seeing their work installed across the district was especially rewarding. Student Beautiful Williams shared that her younger brother recognized a library she had painted when it was placed at his school. Another student, Mya Bruno, described the variety of designs created by her classmates, noting that each library has its own unique personality and style.

Teachers said the project gave students an opportunity to see the real-world impact of their work. “It was really great to see the students, and their experiences, and the pride that they felt, seeing those installed throughout the district,” teacher Tori Martinez told WGAL. Fellow teacher Megan Tyson noted that the libraries provided students with a meaningful connection to the broader community, helping them see value in their work beyond earning a grade.