BRIGHT SPOT

The city of Albuquerque is looking for places to install 21 new Little Free Libraries and is taking applications from residents who want to maintain the book-sharing boxes.

Applications are open to anyone, but the city said in a news release it will prioritize requests from low-income areas, neighborhoods near Title 1 schools and places “without existing accessible literacy resources, such as public libraries.”

Little Free Libraries are public book boxes meant to promote sharing. Users can take books to read or leave books for others.

According to the city’s nonprofit partner — Wisconsin-based Little Free Library — there are now over 100,000 registered boxes around the world.

The Albuquerque Woodworkers Association is building the 21 new Albuquerque Little Free Libraries, while ABQ CREW has volunteered to install them.

The libraries will come with a supply of books, but recipients are expected to maintain them for at least a year.

Applications are open through 5 p.m. Feb. 19. For more information, email kkilbride@ cabq.gov.