Every Story Matters: A Library of Belonging in Liberty County
Members of the Liberty County Kiwanis Club launched a community literacy and inclusion initiative in May 2026 in order to ensure that every child has access to books that reflect the diversity of the community and to help children understand, appreciate, and celebrate differences.
The brainchild of Tina Kitchings, the club’s public relations director, the Every Story Matters libraries are placed carefully and intentionally with specially curated books in accessible community locations, giving children and families a free, welcoming place to discover stories about inclusion, neurodiversity, disabilities, different family experiences, empathy, kindness, and belonging.
These carefully selected books ensure that “every child here that picks up a book can see themselves in a story,” explains Kitchings. “And not only that, children can read about someone else’s story and maybe relate or understand them just a little bit better. And by doing so, we’re creating a community full of empathy and compassion and understanding.”
What began this spring as a single library at Bradwell Park in Hinesville, Georgia, has quickly grown into a county-wide initiative. There are now six libraries established or underway in a growing number of cities and communities, including partnerships with the Hinesville Fire Department, ReFocus Behavior, and the Cities of Walthourville, Flemington, and Midway.
The initiative continues to grow through community partnerships, individual book donations, sponsorships, and the generosity of local businesses and organizations. Community residents, businesses, and organizations are invited to help keep the libraries stocked. They can either ordering directly off the initiative’s Amazon wishlist or by donating via Venmo or CashApp. Liberty County Kiwanis Club members can also sign up to become library “guardians” and inspect the libraries to ensure they are well-stocked with children’s books that align with Every Story Matters’ mission of diversity and inclusion, removing material that does not.
The impact of Every Story Matters extends beyond simply putting books into children’s hands. It uses literacy as a pathway to inclusion. When children see themselves represented in a story, they feel seen and valued. When they encounter characters whose experiences are different from their own, they have an opportunity to develop empathy and understanding. By making inclusive books available throughout the community, Every Story Matters is helping to create conversations, challenge misconceptions, and build a culture where every child knows that their story matters and that there is a place for every story.