The literary folks of Shutesbury, Massachusetts (population 1,800), have been struggling with problems surrounding their tiny library.
The building was built over 100 years ago, to serve the town's then-population of 400. It lacks running water, has a heating duct that melts the shoes of visitors, and only has space for five to six young readers to squeeze into their story hours. There's also no area to study or to hold events - basically to provide some of the essential functions of a successful community-based library.
The state of Massachusetts has offered to contribute $2.1 million towards a new building - but only if the library itself raises $1.4 million in matching funds by June 30th. The library is currently far short of its total - at the time of writing, it had raised $205,829 according to their fundraising site.
To help raise awareness, the Shutesbury Library put together a short, endearing video called "Where would you be without your library?" in order to raise enough money to build a new one.
It's filled with the benefits of libraries everywhere, as kids and adults hold up signs that read, "meet new people," "learn local history," among other key messages.
If you'd like to help the Shutesbury Library stay afloat, watch the video below then visit mnspear.org to make a donation.