“The more that you read, the more things you will know.

The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

That quote, from I Can Read With My Eyes Shut is just one of many inspiring passages to be found within the pages of books by Dr. Seuss, encouraging readers to never stop learning, to always actively seek out information, to expand your horizons, your mind, your creativity, and you world through reading and the constant pursuit of knowledge.

In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday March 2, The President's Programming Initiative has been collecting gently used books for a Little Free Library opening in the spring. While a launch date for the Little Free Library is still to be determined, organizers say it will be housed either inside or outside the student center.

The President’s Programming Initiative committee is made up of faculty and staff, providing outreach to the campus community, bringing together students, faculty, and staff, for educational and social initiatives.

With a table set up in the Student Center for a trio of opportunities at the end of February, books have been collected in exchange for a small gift of a Dr. Seuss themed bookmark.

Born in 1904, Theodor Seuss Geisel was an American author, political cartoonist, poet, animator, book publisher, and artist, best known for authoring more than 60 children's books under the pen name Doctor Seuss and creating some of the most well-known literary and pop culture characters of modern times, including the Cat in the Hat and the Grinch.

“The President's Programming Initiative committee was discussing programming opportunities and initiatives for the week of Dr. Seuss' birthday,” explains Adrienne Victor, committee head for the President’s Programming Initiative and Assistant Director of Student Activities. “We all wanted something that encouraged reading in our community and the idea of Little Free Library was mentioned. All committee members were excited and helped bring the vision to life by tabling to collect books the week leading up to Dr. Seuss' Birthday. We hope the Little Free Library will give our students free and easy access to literature, because we believe (as Dr. Seuss wrote) ‘the more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.’”

Aimed to inspire a love of reading and build community, Little Free Libraries are public bookcases filled with a small selection of books free to exchange. With more than 60,000 such bookcases in existence throughout the United States and other countries, users passing by can take a book to read or leave one for someone else to discover.