THE joy of reading was on full display on Tuesday Read Across Jamaica Day, as NCB Foundation partnered with The Free Likkle Cupboard to launch mini free libraries at three primary schools across Kingston.

The colourful cupboards — installed at Cockburn Gardens Primary and Junior High and New Providence Primary — are designed to function like free libraries.

Students are encouraged to take a book, read, and return or exchange it. Members of the public are also invited to donate books and learning supplies throughout the year to help keep the cupboards fresh and full.

Installed as permanent fixtures on school campuses, the cupboards were built, painted, and stocked with age-appropriate books, and are strategically placed in high-traffic areas to encourage students to read throughout the academic year.

The cupboards were officially presented on Read Across Jamaica Day, with school administrators welcoming the gesture as a meaningful addition to existing literacy efforts.

“Children need stories,” said Dr Patricia Kinglocke-Findley, principal of the Cockburn Gardens Primary and Junior High.

“They need to see themselves in books, to imagine new worlds, to learn from the experiences of others. This cupboard might look small, but the impact it will have on our students is anything but.”

“We are grateful to NCB Foundation and The Free Likkle Cupboard for thinking of our children in such a meaningful way. As someone who teaches reading to grades 1 and 2 every day — both one-on-one and in groups — I know this will help to spark greater interest in books and strengthen the culture of reading across the school. I’m truly excited about the impact it will have,” Kinglocke-Findley added.

The day’s highlight came when Sekela Msafiri, a grade 5 student at Cockburn Gardens Primary, spoke about her excitement at the new addition to his school grounds.

“I love fiction books. Fairytales, especially, are my happy place and I’ve already picked Until the Ackee Smiles from our new cupboard. Reading makes me feel like I can go anywhere and now we have so many new books to choose from. Thank you for bringing them to our school,” said Msafiri.

The book cupboards are open to all students and will be restocked with new material throughout the year. People are also invited to donate books and other learning materials to the cupboards where possible.

CEO of NCB Foundation Perrin Gayle also reinforced the importance of literacy in shaping children’s futures.

“Literacy is one of the most powerful tools we can give to a child. By placing book cupboards directly in schools, we’re making reading more accessible and helping to build daily habits that can transform their lives.

“We believe every child should have access to books, regardless of their background, because reading builds confidence, sharpens thinking, and gives children the tools they need to thrive. This initiative actively demonstrates our commitment to supporting education in ways that are practical, sustainable, and responsive to the real needs of our communities,” said Gayle.

“It is one of the ways we continue to show up for our students in a meaningful and lasting way,” added Gayle

The project was done in partnership with The Free Likkle Cupboard — a grassroots, community-based initiative that uses small-scale solutions like pantries and book cupboards to create big social impact.

Known for its motto ‘Tek what yuh need, give what yuh can’, the movement has inspired similar cupboards across the island, tackling issues like food insecurity, education gaps, and access to resources in a tangible, neighbourly way.

Read Across Jamaica Day, observed annually in May, is dedicated to fostering a national culture of reading and literacy by bringing books, stories, and shared reading experiences into schools across the island.