Little Leadership Libraries

About the Initiative

Building a culture of leadership for our city and state—one book at a time.

The West Virginia Women's Alliance (WVWA) is proud to launch the Little Leadership Libraries Initiative, a community-based literacy and civic engagement project designed to inspire the next generation of leaders through free access to books, educational resources, and community programming. This project is part of the City of Charleston’s Hearts of Our Neighborhood Grant, which encourages projects that not only beautify our city, but encourage cross-community collaboration and partnerships.

Three weather-resistant Little Leadership Libraries will be installed in highly visible public locations throughout Charleston:

  • Charleston City Hall, 501 Virginia Street East, Charleston, WV 25301

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, 314 Donnally Street, Charleston, WV 25301

  • Slack Plaza, 800 Smith Street, Charleston, WV 25301

    The libraries aim to ensure free and equitable access to educational materials for residents of all ages.

Each library will feature a curated collection of books focused on:

  • leadership

  • civic engagement

  • public service

  • community building

  • women's history

  • Appalachian and West Virginia stories

  • inspiring stories from diverse leaders.

Our Mission

The Little Leadership Libraries Initiative seeks to increase access to books and resources that encourage civic participation, lifelong learning, engagement with West Virginia history and heritage, and leadership development. By placing these resources directly within the community, the WVWA aims to remove barriers to access while creating opportunities for residents to engage with ideas that inspire positive change.

The initiative is rooted in the belief that leadership begins with knowledge, curiosity, and community engagement. Through accessible literacy resources and meaningful programming, the project will help cultivate informed, empowered, and connected communities across Charleston.

Community Impact

Charleston, like many communities, continues to face challenges related to civic engagement, educational access, and leadership representation. The Little Leadership Libraries Initiative addresses these challenges by:

  • Expanding access to free educational and leadership-focused reading materials

  • Promoting civic literacy and community engagement

  • Highlighting the stories and accomplishments of women and other historically underrepresented leaders, including those from Appalachia and West Virginia

  • Encouraging youth leadership development through age-appropriate reading selections

  • Creating welcoming public spaces that foster learning and conversation

  • Building stronger connections among residents, community organizations, and local institutions

Community Partnerships

The success and sustainability of the Little Leadership Libraries Initiative is made possible through collaboration with community partners committed to literacy, leadership, and lifelong learning.

  • Kanawha County Public Library will partner with the WVWA to host biannual community book club discussions at the Main Library, creating opportunities for residents to engage in meaningful conversations around leadership, civic participation, and community impact.

  • The WVWA is excited to partner with Read Aloud West Virginia to share our curated youth reading recommendations and provide volunteer engagement opportunities to help ensure that young readers have access to age-appropriate books that encourage confidence, leadership, and a love of reading.

  • The YWCA Kitty Dooley Center for Community Enrichment will serve as a community programming partner by hosting biannual book club events and leadership-focused discussions that bring together readers of all ages and backgrounds.

Sustainability

The Little Leadership Libraries will be maintained through the ongoing support of WVWA volunteers and community partners. Volunteers will conduct routine inspections, restock materials, and coordinate book donations to ensure the libraries remain active and accessible year-round. We will hold donation drives and encourage suggested titles to keep our libraries fully stocked and updated with interesting and engaging titles for our readers.

Books will be refreshed regularly to provide new reading opportunities and maintain community engagement. Through volunteer stewardship, partner support, and community participation, the initiative is designed to remain a lasting resource for Charleston residents long after the initial installation.

Vision for the Future

The Little Leadership Libraries Initiative represents an investment in Charleston's future leaders. By increasing access to books, fostering meaningful conversations, and strengthening community connections, the WVWA hopes to inspire residents of all ages to become informed, engaged, and empowered participants in their communities.

Together, we are building a culture of leadership for our city and state—one book at a time.