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number of registered, free-standing LFLs has grown to more than 150, 000 in the
past few years (LFL, 2023).
LFLs were created by Todd Bol in 2009 to be places in which communities could
gather around a shared love of literacy as patrons of the LFL exchanged books in small
structures. The first site expanded into a 501(c) nonprofit organization that requires
a charter to be an approved site and presently has more than 150,000 sites around
the globe (LFL, 2023; Snow, 2015). The intent behind the LFL movement—to share
free resources, build community, and improve access to books—is admirable. Many Dr. Amber Godwin is
books have been exchanged since 2009, but no collaboration exists yet between Assistant Professor at Sam
public libraries and LFLs. A significant amount of research into the phenomenon Houston State University
and a member of Upsilon
(Snow, 2015) also exists. For example, Snow (2015) argued that critical research Chapter of Texas State
into the practices of LFL sites is necessary to determine if the vision of the LFL Organization. She earned
meets the reality so that the impact of the movement is better understood. her PhD in Curriculum
At the same time, as LFLs are increasing in popularity, recent state legislation and Instruction from
throughout the United States has created systems in which it is possible for local Texas A&M University in
school officials to ban books or create policies that have banned books (NCSS, 2015 and joined SHSU
in 2018. Her research
2021), prohibiting access to the important stories shared therein. However, groups of aims to develop critical
social studies professionals, reading professionals, and other more formal advocacy thinking experiences and
groups have launched countermeasures showing support for students’ freedom to interventions that enhance
read. For example, the President and Executive Director of the National Council for social studies education.
the Social Studies released this statement: She was a K–12 teacher in
Prohibiting the sale and distribution of books is an affront to our democratic both Florida and Texas and
served as an essay scorer
values and threatens each person’s and each family’s individual liberties. It is for AP College Board. She
contrary to our principles of democracy to allow anyone, regardless of their contracts with Mc-Graw-
beliefs or political position, to determine what other Americans can read. Hill, York, and National
Our support is unwavering for social studies educators, school librarians, Geographic Learning.
English Language Arts educators, organizations, and publishers who support Her work has appeared
in many academic
the freedom to learn, teach, and cultivate a lifelong love of reading. We will journals, and she has
always seek to protect the freedom to read and support individual identity presented in numerous
through social education. (Schulzki & Paska, 2022) state, national, and
To us, this statement was a call to action that affirmed the research conducted on international conferences.
the potential role that LFLs could play in helping adolescent community members She is currently writing
Storytelling and
engage in the reading and sharing of historical fiction and other social-studies- Mindfulness: A Thoughtful
centered books, as well as what books a community would share when book Exploration of World
selections are not modified by governing bodies. The content of the books found in History.
LFLs may reflect a community’s curiosity about social studies issues and what they
are comfortable sharing with their neighbors. ajg007@shsu .edu
Shared reading experiences can bring about feelings of unity and empathy, and
“books make us think. When you think, you ask questions” (Davis, 2023, p. 13)—
and inquiry is a critical component of higher reasoning and thinking (Waring, 2021).
It is important for young adults to think deeply about social issues both in and out
of the classroom. With these ideas in mind, we believe LFLs provide anonymous
spaces for young adults to explore social-studies-based literature, and in effect,
social-studies-based ideas, in a no- or low-risk zone.

Literature Review
Children’s literature and social studies content are in many ways symbiotic
(Savage & Savage, 1993): Young adults’ engagement in reading can be a pathway to

Promoting Professional and Personal Growth of Educators and Excellence in Education 49