Stuff the Library is a yearly effort, led by MSU, to put books in the hands of Michigan schoolchildren via their school libraries.
And not just any books. Books by authors from diverse backgrounds. Books that feature characters that are relatable to all young readers, enabling kids to see themselves in the heroes of the stories they read. Books that inspire, educate, and open kids’ eyes and minds to a world of possibilities.
The initiative is just one part of the university-wide, week-long celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and kicks off MSU’s Black History Month events and support for programs that serve the Black student community at MSU. The initiatives encourage students, faculty, staff, and community members to come together and take part in activities and acts of service that exemplify the pillars of Dr. King’s legacy.
Stuff the Library is a joint effort of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration Planning Committee, the MSU Alumni Office, the Center for Community Engaged Learning, and the MSU Student Food Bank.
“This event is a great opportunity for the community to come together and offer children a way to explore other cultures, peoples and identities,” said KC Keyton, project co-creator, MSU MLK Jr. Commemorative Celebration committee member and assistant director of Student Volunteer Programs with the MSU Center for Community Engaged Learning.
“Diversity and inclusion are important all year. Stuff the Library starts with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration and continues to engage the community into Black History month.”
Thanks to the enthusiastic participation of donors, Stuff the Library has raised nearly more than $25,000 since 2021, and helped put a total of 2461 books into the Ingham County Library system, and public schools in Flint, Detroit, and Grand Rapids.
This year’s campaign has a goal of $5,000 and 1,000 books, which will be distributed to schools in the City of Lansing.
“We are excited to be partnering with the Lansing School District for this year’s event,” says project co-creator Dan DiMaggio, MSU MLK Jr. Commemorative Celebration committee member and director of Student Engagement in the MSU Alumni Office.
“Books are a powerful way for children to learn about other cultures and the world they live in, and getting as many as possible into their hands that depict a diverse representation of people and topics is our number one goal. We want to create a lasting legacy to honor the memory of Dr. King and his work.”
The Stuff the Library campaign—along with many other community initiatives that celebrate not just Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but also Black History Month—runs through the month of February, and donors can learn more, make a gift, or purchase books directly from the district’s wish list via the Stuff the Library Crowdpower page.