On Friday, Feb. 12 a small ribbon cutting was held at Leonard Paul’s Pizza in Globe to welcome the third edition to Cathy’s Little Free Libraries. The libraries honor Cathy Sanchez-Cañez, a beloved Miami educator who was tragically swept away by a flash flood in Globe on July 22, 2019. Cathy devoted more than half of her life to serving as a special education teacher in Globe and Miami. She worked tirelessly as a proponent for students with educational challenges and passed on a love for reading to all of her students.
The little “book nooks” celebrate Cathy’s love for reading and education. The first one was installed at Globe City Hall, a second was placed in front of J &R’s Fine Mexican Food in Globe and this third installment proudly displays a pizza symbol on the back and stands out in front of Leonard Paul’s Pizza in Globe. There are plans to place a fourth library with a Vandal theme in Miami’s Veterans Memorial Park.
This library was handcrafted with love by Dickie Ledbetter and detailed with care by Mayor Al Gameros. Books were donated by Pat and Misty Burchell, Mike and Linda Pastor, Sarah and Kenneth Bernstein, Claudia Marek, Emily Marek, Mona Casillas, Louise Sandoval, and Desiree Garcia and children.
Cathy’s Little Free Library will continue to be stocked with a variety of good quality books that interest the community. Community members are welcome to stop by and take a book, then return and bring books to contribute. These books are always free and never for sale.
The Little Free Library is a movement started by Todd Bol and Rick Brooks in 2010 and has grown to include little libraries all over the country.
The mission of Cathy’s Little Free Library is to promote literacy and the love of reading, foster a sense of community and connection, and create a lasting memorial to Cathy Sanchez- Cañez.
