Compassion Through Literature Little Free Libraries

Positive Charge! PDX’s Compassion Through Literature project came about as a result of seeing too many books being banned in schools around the country, and too many students being both underrepresented and unsupported in the place where they spend most of their waking hours of their days: school.

Join the Library Celebrations with Timber Joey On May 4

The project’s goal is to encourage curiosity and awareness about You, Me, and Us, leading to better knowledge and understanding between family members, our neighbors, and our world, all through reading and sharing books about each other.

Let’s increase information and decrease stereotypes and fear. Take a walk in someone else’s shoes by reading about people whose lives aren’t like ours. Together let’s increase diversity in literacy, increase tolerance, increase compassion, and decrease hate.

The Robert Gray Middle School PTA has helped grow this project by installing Four Compassion Through Literature-themed libraries in our community in conjunction with the Timbers, the Children’s Book Bank and Positive Charge! PDX. Timber Joey built and painted each one just for this cause!

We’re grateful for the partnership and support from the 3rd Eye Bookstore, the Children’s Book Bank, and the Portland Timbers.

Children's Book Bank Logo
Portland Timbers Logo
Third Eye Books Logo

For more information about the program please click here.

Free Library Map & Locations

The Map shows the location of the four libraries. We hope that you will visit one and find a book to enjoy.

Map marking Free Library Locations Around RGMS
Map marking free library locations around RGMS. A PDF version is available here (opens in a new tab).

Free library locations:

  • SW 48th Ave. between SW Iowa St & SW Pendleton St.
  • SW Sunset Dr. south of the stairs to SW 23rd Ave.
  • SW California St. east of SW 27th Ave.
  • SW Capitol Hwy at the stairs to SW 30th Pl.

Timber Joey Library Celebration Events – May 4, 2022

Join us in one or two events and meet Timber Joey, enjoy a doughnut, and celebrate diversity through literature! All are welcome!

Timber Joey Library Celebration at Hayhurst – May 4, 2:15-3:00 PM

💚 ALL ARE WELCOME 💚

Come meet Timber Joey and celebrate the opening of new little libraries that he custom built & painted for our SW Portland community (specifically for neighborhoods that feed to Robert Gray Middle School)! Thanks to Positive Charge! PDX’s Compassion Through Literature project, 4 new little libraries in our Neighborhoods will be stocked with books focusing on diversity & inclusion. Come find out more.

When: Wednesday, May 4th from 2:15-3:00pm

Where: SW 48th Ave, between SW Iowa St & SW Pendleton street

View the Hayhurst event flier here.

Following the Hayhurst neighborhood library dedication, Timber Joey will be dedicating another when school releases for the day at Robert Gray. All are welcome there, also!

Timber Joey Library Celebration by RGMS – May 4, 3:45-4:30 PM

💚 ALL ARE WELCOME 💚

Come meet Timber Joey and celebrate the opening of new little libraries that he custom built & painted for our RGMS community! Thanks to Positive Charge! PDX’s Compassion Through Literature project, 4 new little libraries in our SW community will be stocked with books focusing on diversity and inclusion!

When: Wednesday, May 4th from 3:45-4:30pm

Where: (from Robert Gray) Across 23rd and up the stairs to Sunset Drive

View the Hayhurst event flier here.