Little libraries from throughout Northern Kentucky will be in full bloom and in the spotlight this Friday evening at the Newport Branch of the Campbell County Public Library.

Members of the community are invited to see the fun, festive and colorful little libraries created, curated and designed by members of the community at the BIG Kickoff for Little Libraries at 6:00 p.m. tomorrow night.

A little library is a decorated box that provides shelter for a selection of free books. People are encouraged to take a book and leave a book for others to read.

Several people in the community have come together to make little libraries in Northern Kentucky a reality. Danielle Heiert, an avid reader and high school sophomore, chose little libraries as her Girl Scout Gold Award project. The Gold Award is the Girl Scout equivalent of the Boy Scout's Eagle Award.

In early March, the library built 40 boxes that were made available for $10. People who purchased the boxes were asked to decorate them and bring their decorated boxes to the April 17 kickoff party. Creators of the best little libraries will be awarded first- and second-place prizes of $50 and $25 gift cards. Entrants in Friday's BIG Kickoff will include:

Book-themed Libraries: Maria Mozeman, Marti Jo Griffith, Amy Hartman, Mark Kerley and Misty Voges.

Realistic Libraries: Leslie R. Carr, Julie Fischer, Catherine Hamilton Hicks, Julia Lutkenhoff, Laura Pleiman and Kim Townsley.

Creative Libraries: Vicki Ballard, Jay Brewer, Kimberly Dillard, Debi Fields, Sarah Foster, Jen Hazeres, Jill McGlone, Mimi Rayner and Ben Reed (with two entries).

Campbell County Judge/Executive Steve Pendery will lead the panel of judges, who are representatives from the participating cities. They are: Bellevue Mayor Ed Riehl; Dayton City Council member Bill Burns; Fort Thomas City Council member John Muller; Newport Mayor Jerry Peluso; and Southgate Mayor Jim Hamberg.

The kickoff party, which was organized by Heiert, will also have music by Kyle Meadows and light refreshments. The little library sponsors include: Campbell County Public Library, The Friends of the Campbell County Public Library, Kohl's, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Half Priced Books, Country Heart and the Girl Scouts of Kentucky's Wilderness Road.

Although it's too late to purchase a library-provided little library or enter the April 17 contest, the library offers a how-to guide for a little library. Interested parties can go online to access the Library's Little Library Design Plan at www.cc-pl.org/community/i- want-a-little-library-NKY- Campbell-County . To get a starter set or replenish books by, stop by the Campbell County Public Library and request a Little Library Book Bag containing free books donated by the Friends of the Campbell County Public Library.

-Staff report/Photo: Little library (Campbell Co. Public Library Facebook Page)