Lawyer Opens 100s of Libraries Inside U.S. Prisons
Reginald Dwayne Betts spent nine years in prison starting at age 16, where books became his lifeline. Now he's a lawyer and poet filling prisons across America with the literature that saved him.
Libraries — Good News & Uplifting Stories
Read the latest positive news, breakthroughs, and inspiring stories about libraries, curated daily by BrightWire.
63 stories tagged with "Libraries"
Schools Rally to Save $2B Internet Program Helping Students
Schools and libraries across America are fighting to protect E-Rate, a program that helps millions of students get online. Their powerful testimonies show why this lifeline still matters.
Card Game Company Gives 5,000+ Games to Libraries for Free
Cards Against Humanity has donated over 5,000 games to public libraries nationwide to encourage real human connection. The company pledged to keep supporting libraries fighting book bans and budget cuts.
Libraries Launch Free Entrepreneur Program in Rowan County
Rowan Public Library now offers free business coaching, workspaces, and training for entrepreneurs through a new state partnership. Aspiring business owners can get personalized guidance from specially trained librarians at no cost.
America's First Nature Library Loans Out Stargazing Kits
Colorado's new nature library lends everything from bird guides to microscopes for free, helping families explore the outdoors right in their backyards. Nearly 41,000 items are available to borrow, and visitors say it's changing how they connect with nature.
1,200 Kids Join NC Library's Summer Reading Program
Over 1,000 children in Caldwell County, North Carolina signed up for their local library's summer reading challenge this year, with more than 7,800 people attending 250 family-friendly events. The program gave away 1,350 free books and sparked a love of reading across three library branches.
Dutch Library Membership Hits 3.8M as Young Adults Return
More than 3.8 million people joined Dutch libraries in 2025, with young adults leading an unexpected comeback to public reading spaces. The surge comes as libraries added 35 new locations thanks to increased government funding.
Librarians Save Terabytes of Deleted Federal Data
When federal agencies began removing vital public data, a grassroots network of librarians launched a rescue mission that has preserved massive amounts of critical information. The Data Rescue Project now protects research data that millions depend on.
1939 Library Sit-In Paved the Way for Civil Rights Movement
Five young Black men walked into a whites-only library in Alexandria, Virginia, picked up books, and quietly began to read. Their peaceful protest 87 years ago became a blueprint for the civil rights movement that would change America.
Librarians Create Archive to Save National Park History
When the Trump administration began quietly altering signs at national parks, a group of librarians launched Save Our Signs to preserve the original stories. They're building a crowdsourced archive to ensure future visitors can access the full historical record.
Tiny E-Readers Now Access Library Books for Free
Pocket-sized e-readers from Xteink can now borrow thousands of free books from public libraries through new software. The update transforms these budget devices into serious alternatives to pricey Kindles.
Colorado Opens Nation's First Nature Library in Thornton
A groundbreaking library in Colorado is lending out snowshoes, telescopes, and bird-watching kits alongside books. The Anythink Nature Library proves getting outdoors doesn't require expensive gear or a mountain pass.