Massachusetts librarian outfitting books with life-saving phones, info as ‘Book-it 2 Freedom’ kits
By Matt Reed
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WESTWOOD, Massachusetts (WCVB) — It’s not every day a librarian takes a boxcutter to a book. But by doing so, Westwood, Massachusetts, librarian Molly Riportella may potentially be saving lives.
“I usually try to like go a couple pages after a chapter begins,” she said.
Riportella is hiding a prepaid cell phone inside the pages to be used by a victim of domestic violence.
“The phone is a little sliver of hope and real chance to make contact with the outside world,” Riportella said. “To talk to a lawyer or talk to an advocate who can get you the next steps to move on.”
The Westwood librarian came up with the idea two years ago when a friend told her they were in a controlling relationship where their partner was going through their phone, checking texts, social media and who they were calling.
“It’s so hard to narrow it down to what you actually need and what form you need and how do you fill out a restraining order and how do you get to court,” Riportella said. “We put that in the phone.”
Riportella, who herself was in a troubled relationship years ago, has given away three Book-it 2 Freedom kits through word of mouth.
“I guarantee anyone watching this knows someone who needs help,” said Riportella.
She is hoping her idea can spread nationwide. So far, Riportella has spent $1,200 of her own money to fund the program she has named BiblioUnderground. She hopes donations and word of mouth will allow it to expand to help more victims.
“Now that it’s started, I can’t stop now,” Riportella said. “There’s too many people at risk that this could actually help.”
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