Laundromats Into Libraries
For years, Libraries Without Borders US has partnered with local libraries and small business owners to transform laundromats into connected places of learning and community. By engaging families at the laundromat, we make library services accessible for people with challenging work and childcare schedules who can’t visit their local public library during opening hours.
Since 2014, we have partnered with public libraries and community organizations to design and install laundromat libraries in eight states and the District of Columbia. We have turned the laundromat into a place where customers can connect to resources to help find a job, get legal assistance, or get a broadband connection at home.
In collaboration with communities and laundromats across the country, LWB US has created a toolkit for anyone to replicate the success of the laundromat library in their community. To view this toolkit, click here.
“I’m a mom with 3 kids and 2 jobs. I want to take a computer class at the library, but my work schedule is always changing and I can’t afford to miss a shift. This program lets me learn on my own time.”
— Laundromat Patron in Detroit