Hachette Celebrates 200th Anniversary with Little Free Library Through Largest-Ever Publishing Collaboration
Historic Anniversary Marked by Installation of 200 Library Boxes in Book Deserts Across U.S. and Canada
(New York, NY – May 21, 2026) – Today, Hachette Book Group (HBG) and Little Free Library announced their largest-ever publishing collaboration: the installation of 200 library boxes in book deserts across the United States and Canada. The initiative commemorates HBG’s 200th anniversary, advances the company’s Raising Readers campaign, and coincides with the official 2026 Little Free Library Week.
“For Hachette’s 200th anniversary, we wanted to mark the occasion by helping more kids to discover the magic of reading and providing access to books for those in book desserts,” said David Shelley, Hachette Book Group and Hachette UK CEO. “We’re proud to be partnering with Little Free Library and assisting with the extraordinary work that they do.”
The first set of library boxes is expected to be installed next month with continued placements of 50 boxes per month through September. The library boxes will be distributed in locations determined by the Little Free Library’s Impact Library Program, which focuses on book deserts and areas where book access is scarce in the United States and Canada. This will allow HBG to circulate thousands of children’s books this year.
“Expanding book access and inspiring young readers are central to our nonprofit’s mission,” said Little Free Library CEO and Executive Director Daniel Gumnit. “When a child discovers a book in a Little Free Library, reading becomes more than just accessible— it becomes joyful. We’re grateful to partner with Hachette on this initiative to help even more kids experience the power of books.”
Raising Readers is Hachette’s global social impact initiative aimed at tackling the concerning decline in children’s reading for fun and entertainment. Studies show that reading for fun impacts a child’s future success more than their socio-economic status. HBG’s partnership with Little Free Library addresses that reading for fun gap by making books easily accessible to children in areas of critical need. Throughout this year, HBG will continue to invest $200,000 in the Raising Readers campaign commemorating Hachette’s 200th anniversary.
Across HBG and Hachette UK, more than 12 million books now include a message about the reading crisis and the importance of encouraging a child’s lifelong love of reading. By the end of 2026, this number is expected to grow to more than 25 million books across more than 3,000 works.
HBG urges the public to visit the Raising Readers website, JoinRaisingReaders.com, and sign the pledge to spend 10 minutes a day reading to or with a child and to access resources to help the next generation become lifelong readers.
About Hachette Book Group:
Hachette Book Group (HBG) is a leading U.S. general-interest book publisher made up of dozens of esteemed imprints within the publishing groups Basic Books Group, Grand Central Publishing Group, Hachette Audio, Little, Brown and Company, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Orbit; Workman Publishing; and Running Press Group. We also provide custom distribution, fulfillment, and sales services to several publishing companies.
Our books and authors have received the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, Caldecott Medal, Newbery Medal, Booker Prize, Nobel Peace Prize, James Beard Award, and other major honors.
We are committed to diversity in our company and our publishing programs, and to fostering a culture of inclusion for all our employees and authors. We are proud to be part of Hachette Livre, the world’s third-largest trade and educational publisher.
Visit hachettebookgroup.com to learn more about HBG imprints. For updated news follow HBG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Threads, TikTok, X.com, Snapchat, and YouTube.
Press Contact: Gabrielle Gambrell, Chief Communications Officer, gabrielle.gambrell@hbgusa.com
About Little Free Library
Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Our mission is to be a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Library book-exchange boxes.
Our vision is a Little Free Library in every community and a book for every reader. We believe all people are empowered when the opportunity to discover a personally relevant book to read is not limited by time, space, or privilege.
Press Contact: Margret Aldrich, Little Free Library Senior Director of Communications
maldrich@littlefreelibrary.org, 715-690-2488 x805