Unveiling of LAPD West Traffic Division’s Little Free Library in Memoriam of Officer Van D. Johnson NA16034TI

WHAT:
LAPD West Traffic Division will host Alta Loma Elementary School students at an unveiling of their Little Free Library

WHEN:
Wednesday, March 16, 2016 3:00 p.m.

WHERE:
West Traffic Division Police Station
4849 W. Venice Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90019

WHO:
Deputy Chief Beatrice Girmala, Commanding Officer Operations West Bureau Captain Valencia Thomas, Commanding Officer West Traffic Division Douglas & Jean Chadwick, The Literacy Club The McCollum and Farquhar Families, The Literacy Club Sponsors Ken Van Meter, Petersen Automotive Museum Veronica Alvarez, Director of School and Teacher Programs at LACMA Family and friends of Officer Van Johnson

WHY:
West Traffic Division will unveil their Little Free Library in memoriam of Officer Van D. Johnson EOW: 2/5/97 #25561.

(Refreshments will be served after the dedication)

LAPD West Traffic and The Literacy Club have partnered to unveil a Little Free Library to be placed in the lobby of the West Traffic Division for the entire community to use and enjoy. This custom library filled with new books functions as an educational and outreach tool for children and families, while promoting literacy and community.

This library has been crafted by Douglas and Jean Chadwick who operate the nonprofit called The Literacy Club. Together in just over 2 years they have built over 35 Little Free Libraries and placed them in police station lobbies, parks, community centers in SoCal and Ohio. Each library is uniquely themed and the West Traffic theme is vintage/futuristic transportation.

A little free library is a place where children visiting the station with their parents can enjoy a book while they wait or take one home with them. The library will have a positive influence on community quality of life and provide a place for neighbors to meet and get to know each other through “community in the station programs.”

The library is registered with the littlefreelibrary.org, a national registry where community members can locate it online. The books will be re-stocked through generous donations, community members and police officers. Additionally, police officers will be involved in book-reading programs at the station with local schools.

More information about The Literacy Club and their Little Free Libraries can be found at http://theliteracyclub.org or contact Jean Chadwick at jean@theliteracyclub.org. Tel: 818-824-3544

Members of the media interested in attending should contact Sergeant James Tomeo, West Traffic Division at 213-473-0222.