Volunteer now!

We are all here because we love libraries!  We have so many opportunities for you to help--and they range from the simple to the time-consuming. Maybe YOU can do something even RIGHT NOW to keep up the passion for libraries, books, reading, and public education opportunities! Here are some projects you can join:

1. A Little Free Library! Build and maintain one of your own. If you can help those with libraries in maintaning the structure OR in reloading the books, that is a simple and easy way to participate.

2. Go to Library Board Meetings in Christian County. Attendence is often enough! Sometimes the Board just needs to see that the public DOES care, they DO watch what is happening with their libraries. Most Christian County Library Board meetings are held in Nixa at the Nixa branch of the library. They are the THIRD TUESDAY of the month at 6 pm. You may want to show at 5:30-5:45 to get a seat.

         A. If you want to show your support for the library, we have buttons you can pin on, we have signs that some people like to sit with (they are very simple and say "We love our Christian County Library."

          B. U-Turn does not speak as a group at any Library Board or County Commissioner meetings. However, we encourage you to speak as individuals. Some of you may want to say that you align with U-Turn, and that is fine, but that you speak for yourself. There is never pressure to speak. Sometimes, when asked, talking points can be provided to you. Let us know how we can best help you participate!

3. BookBag Program can always use volunteers to help with setting up and cleaning up during their events. Sorting books, helping students, and so on is always welcome help! Please look at the BookBag Page for events (link to page is below, they are also available on Facebook).

4. Donate books, donate gently used small stuffed animals for the reading buddy program, donate old jewelry to BookBag, donate to U-Turn to help us continue to support library staff, run programs for underpriviledged students, and sponsor scholarships for community engagement and leadership.

Events coming soon that we WILL need help with:

October 10, 2025: U-Turn in Education is sponsoring the snack bar for the Bucks and Bones Trivia Night to raise money for Christian County C.A.R.E.S. (Community Action and Resources Emergency Support). We will need someone to help us set up and run the snack bar. This is at 6:30 on October 10 at Cassidy Luthern Church 5151 Fremont Road, Nixa.

October 31, 2025: 5-7:30 pm we need help setting up, running games, handing out candy to the residents of English Village Park. This is a BookbBag program and CCC. But it will be a fun event! We will hand out candy, play games for fun prizes!  Someone might even tell a scary story!

Check here for more in coming weeks!

If you are interested in reading research about education in communities, please check out our research resources page.

Students often feel that there is nothing they can do, but there are actually many ways students can become involved--some involve public action, some you can do in your own bedroom! To see what you, as a student, can do, check out our Students page.