Venice hotel welcomes little free library

VENICE — Reading is back and better than ever, according to one local high school class.

Venice High School's Pre-International Baccalaureate, Inquiry Skills Period 7 class celebrated the opening of their Little Free Library on Wednesday at the Hotel Venezia.

Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization with a mission to advocate for reading and literacy accessibility through volunteer-led, free book-exchange boxes.

The class spent two months planning, designing, building and marketing the literacy project to fulfill the last of their IB Learner Profile requirements: Caring.

The assignment called for students to successfully create a philanthropic project that would make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Kara Mopps, VHS's IB teacher, celebrated her Period 8 class's opening of their LFL on Monday, placed at the entrance to Venice Beach by its snack pavilion for beachgoers interested in a book.

Mopps said she hopes this second location will welcome tourists to Venice and represent the community's close-knit relationship.

"The students really wanted it to be something where, when people come in here, they understand we are community that supports our kids and sports and each other," she said. "And this hotel is genuinely one the one I see most people come to to visit."

Students were first to thank the community and Mopps for their commitment to supporting their education, sharing their excitement at being able to return the favor.

"Not only did we learn about teamwork, communication and time management, but we also got the chance to connect with our community and give back to the people who support our school," said Marley Payne, the class city planner.

Hotel Venezia staff said they were happy to partake in the pay-it-forward project, which now offers a their guests another form of entertainment during their stay.

"We love for this to be in here, because everybody takes advantage of being in the mini-mart anyways," front desk supervisor Toni Petty said. "We were bringing in books by ourselves, so this is perfect, especially with this younger generation bringing in what guests may be looking for to read."