Storage to Story Time: Big City Readers x Loews Hotel Chicago
With school back in full swing for most students this week, I want to take a moment to revisit one of my favorite projects I got to do with Chicago Public Schools last year.
At Big City Readers, our mission extends beyond the classroom.
We partner with schools, libraries, hotels, and community organizations to bring the joy of reading to more children and families. From professional trainings to public story times and curated book experiences, these collaborations highlight the impact we can make when we work together.
I had the opportunity to partner with Loews Hotel Chicago to bring a brand new library to the students of Loomis Elementary School here in Chicago. We reimagined what was once a storage room into a bright, welcoming space designed for reading, learning, and community.
The library before
With generous funding from Loews Hotel Chicago, we filled the library with brand new books and fresh furnishings that invite kids to curl up with a story, gather for read alouds, and discover the magic of reading together.
We took a storage room and made it a place for kids to feel safe. Between donated books and brand new books we filled bins and shelves in a way that kids felt seen- they were all represented in these stories- and teachers felt like someone had their back.
The library after!
We spent weeks organizing the books by interest and level and coded it for teachers to be able to tell what books were a good fit for what students and for students to be able to pick what they love. My goal was for kids to feel empowered. I spent time with first graders asking what they liked about school and what they hate about learning and tried to set up the space in a way that made them change their minds. I think it worked. Check out this video of them walking in.
To celebrate, I hosted a story time in the new space with the students of Loomis, kicking off the library’s next chapter in style.
I am so proud of this collaboration and grateful to Loews for making it possible. Together, we created a space where every child at Loomis Elementary can grow their love of reading.
These collaborations are just the beginning. If your business, school, or organization would like to partner with Big City Readers, we’d love to connect! Reach out to hello@bigcityreaders.com
