Lakeland, Sumida City exchange Little Free Libraries
Lakeland University and Sumida City, Tokyo, Japan, added another chapter to their growing partnership Tuesday with the exchange of Little Free Libraries during a ceremony on Lakeland’s main campus.
The exchange brought together Lakeland President Beth Borgen, Sumida City Deputy Mayor Noriko Kishikawa and members of the Chiba University design team, who created the Little Free Library presented to Lakeland.
As Lakeland University-Japan has become established in the Sumida Ward since moving there in 2021, the partnership between LU and Sumida City continues to grow through educational and community programs.
“It just became very clear that we shared the same vision in educating and serving the community as our partners at the mayor’s office,” Borgen said.
The Little Free Library exchange is the latest example of that shared vision, connecting a Wisconsin-born tradition with the history and culture of Sumida City.
The Chiba University team designed the library as a traditional Japanese wooden boat, reflecting Sumida’s connection to the water and symbolizing movement, connection and the sharing of stories and knowledge. It incorporates locally sourced and recycled cherry wood, traditional Japanese patterns and other elements of Sumida’s culture.
Designed on wheels, the library presented to Lakeland will travel around campus and be filled with books from the Lakeland community. The Sumida delegation provided the first books, including titles highlighting Sumida, Japanese gardens and bonsai.
Lakeland presented Sumida City with its own Little Free Library, designed by local artist Erin Kanz, owner of Treehouse Wood Art, and modeled after Lakeland’s iconic classroom building, Old Main Hall, which was completed in 1888. The library will be displayed in Sumida City, providing a visible connection between Lakeland and the community that has become home to LUJ.
LUJ now serves more than 500 students from 40 countries and partners with the Sumida City mayor’s office on programs including an English club that serves approximately 70 local middle school students each year.
“I hope this project will inspire many students and help our two cities become even closer friends,” Kishikawa said.
The partnership will continue to grow in 2027, when Lakeland plans to welcome 20 high school students from Sumida City to Wisconsin for a two-week summer camp focused on English, American culture and the college experience.
The Little Free Library exchange offers another way for students and community members in Wisconsin and Japan to share books, culture and connections, continuing a partnership built around education and a shared commitment to community.
