Students and teachers from the HMS School gather for the ribbon cutting of the new “little library” at 45th and Chester, near their school. (Photo by West Philly Local)

This morning, HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy students and staff gathered outside the school playground gate at 45th and Chester for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion and reopening of the Little Free Library, a student-driven community care initiative designed to promote literacy and neighborhood connection.

The project began when students in Classroom G44, led by teacher Paige Halligan, noticed that the neighborhood’s Little Free Library outside HMS needed attention. Coinciding with a classroom unit on “community care,” the students identified the library’s restoration as an opportunity to engage in meaningful, hands-on service to their community.

“Our students recognized that the Little Free Library could use some care, and that became a powerful extension of our classroom discussions about what it means to be part of a community,” Halligan said.

Photo courtesy of the HMS School

Recognizing the scope of the work, the class invited members of the broader HMS community, including staff from nursing, facilities, and administration, to collaborate. The project evolved into a yearlong, school-wide effort that united students, staff, and volunteers around a shared goal.

Each student at HMS contributed to the project by creating a handmade ceramic tile that now decorates the Little Free Library. As new students join the school community in the years ahead, they will continue the tradition by adding their own tiles, ensuring that the library remains a living reflection of the school’s creativity and inclusivity.

“Our goal is simple: to give back to the West Philadelphia community as much as it has given to us,” Paige added. “This Little Free Library has always been an active hub, and we wanted to give it the ‘fresh makeover’ it deserved.”

The newly restored Little Free Library now serves as both a neighborhood resource and an artistic landmark. To maintain the space, HMS encourages community members to participate by donating books, tidying the area, or adding their own decorative tiles.

“The community is always welcome to take or leave books, leave a decorated tile, and help keep the area clean,” Halligan said. “The more help, the better.”