Book-sharing box marks the first of two in Arkansas, bringing books and broadband to underserved communities
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – September 11, 2025 – Today, Brightspeed, one of the nation’s largest fiber broadband builders focused on empowering more homes and businesses with ultrafast, reliable internet, and the Russellville Police Department, are celebrating a new book-sharing collaboration in Arkansas.
This book-sharing box installation is part of Brightspeed’s national initiative to bridge both the digital and literacy divides by sponsoring Little Free Libraries in 28 underserved cities across 20 states. Together with Little Free Library (LFL), Brightspeed is working to bring books to communities known as “book deserts,” where access to reading materials is limited.
“The Little Free Library is more than just a box of books inside our department,” said Officer Hailie Tolich with the Russellville Police Department. “It’s a simple way to connect with the community, encourage learning, and spark conversations. Seeing families and children stop by to pick out a story reminds us that sharing knowledge and kindness helps build a safer, stronger community.”
As Brightspeed continues expanding its fiber internet footprint in the region, connecting people to high-speed internet service that enables online learning, remote work and telehealth services, this partnership with Little Free Library further underscores the company’s investment in the communities it serves. Once the company’s full fiber network buildout in the area is complete, nearly 7,500 homes and businesses will have access to Brightspeed’s multi-gig-speed fiber internet service.
Beyond Russellville, the book-sharing boxes will be placed through LFL’s Impact Library Program, which grants book-sharing boxes and books to communities most in need. Brightspeed plans to sponsor an additional Little Free Library in Jacksonville. To become a local LFL steward and support this mission in your community, please visit this link for more information.
“Partnering with Little Free Library is a natural extension of our mission. We believe true connectivity goes beyond just providing fast internet; it’s about fostering connections within our communities,” said Chloe Zimmerman, program manager, local marketing and partnerships at Brightspeed. “By making books more accessible through these libraries, we’re helping nurture knowledge and imagination – the keys to a stronger, more connected community.”
About Brightspeed
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. and with assets and associated operations in 20 states, Brightspeed provides broadband and telecommunications services through a network platform capable of serving more than 7.3 million homes and businesses. Our nearly 4,000 employees are committed to building a future where more communities benefit from a more connected life, deploying a state-of-the-art fiber network and a customer experience that makes being connected as simple as it should be. For more information, please visit www.brightspeed.com.
About Little Free Library
Little Free Library® (LFL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that builds community, inspires readers and expands book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Library book-sharing boxes. There are more than 180,000 registered Little Free Libraries worldwide in all 50 states, in 121 countries and on all seven continents. Through them, over 400 million books have been shared since 2009. LFL received the 2020 World Literacy Award as well as honors from the Library of Congress, National Book Foundation and others. The organization grants Little Free Libraries full of books to underserved areas through its Impact Library and Indigenous Library programs and champions diverse books through its Read in Color initiative. To learn more, visit LittleFreeLibrary.org.
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