Libraries today are more than places to borrow books — they’re community hubs supporting learning, connection, and resources for all ages. At the Lincoln Township Public Library, that mission recently expanded with a program reaching families from birth.
Located along Lake Michigan, the library serves three communities and roughly 23,500 residents across southwest Michigan. Its mission is simple but powerful: enrich lives, inspire curiosity, and strengthen the community through knowledge and access to resources.
That community-focused mindset inspired one of the library’s most impactful initiatives: Berrien Books for Babies, a program that provides families with literacy kits delivered directly at local hospitals.
At the center of the program? A thoughtfully-designed custom box.
A Simple Idea With a Big Community Impact
With childhood literacy rates declining, many programs aim to give families essential resources from day one, helping parents read, talk, and engage with their newborns. Inspired by similar initiatives, Library Director Joelle Wake wrote a grant proposal to bring the concept to Berrien County.
The library secured a $25,000 Big Idea Grant from the Frederick S. Upton Foundation in 2024, launching the program in two local hospitals and delivering more than 1,200 boxes in its first year. Each kit includes:
- Two board books for newborns
- Early literacy milestone cards
- A baby blanket and rubber duck
- Information about local libraries and programs
- A gift voucher for another free board book, encouraging families to visit their home library
After the initial funding cycle ended, support from the Corewell Health Foundation of Southwest Michigan allowed the program to continue delivering boxes. Luckily, “their generous support allowed us to keep providing these boxes,” Wake says.
Berrien Books for Babies boxes to promote Childhood Literacy
Why Custom Printed Boxes Made the Difference
The team initially considered plastic bags, plain boxes, and totes, but chose fully custom-printed boxes for durability, organization, and a meaningful experience for families.
The boxes also solved practical challenges for hospital staff. They “stack nicely… it keeps everything cleaner, and it’s a lot easier for hospitals to store [compared] to bags that are flopping everywhere,” Wake says.
The design process was straightforward but thoughtful. Using Canva, the library created artwork with stars and cute animals that felt gender-neutral. Wake worked with the business manager to adapt graphics to match the library’s brand and the hospital’s colors. Using a BoxUp Display Mailer Canva template, they fitted the design to the box, reviewed mockups, and finalized the look quickly.
Wake states that being able to see the 3D mockups was “very helpful” while designing. “It allowed us to see how the artwork would appear on the finished box and make small adjustments” before placing the full order. They ordered a single sample box to ensure the design was perfect before the full run. The process, from concept to final order, took just a few hours.
Packaging That Feels Like a Gift
For new parents, receiving the literacy kit feels like opening a special present. That moment matters: for some families, the box is their first introduction to local library services.
Responses have been overwhelmingly positive. Families were thrilled to receive the boxes, and one parent said the books were the only ones their newborn had — a reminder of just how important programs like these are.
The custom printed box becomes a physical reminder of that mission — one that families may keep, reuse, and associate with the start of their child’s learning journey.
To learn more about Berrien Books for Babies and the Lincoln Township Public Library, visit lincolntownshiplibrary.org/our-community/berrien-books-for-babies or stop by to explore programs for families, children, and new parents.
A Small Box With a Big Impact
The Berrien Books for Babies kits show how thoughtful packaging can help community programs make a meaningful impact. With custom printed boxes from BoxUp, organizations can create durable, organized kits that are easy to store, distribute, and memorable for families.
BoxUp makes creating custom boxes simple. Browse templates, upload designs from Canva or Adobe, or modify third-party templates to match your program’s style. Start with a $1 sample box, and when ready, receive a free printed box of your design before production (use code PROOF at checkout, just pay shipping).
Whether creating literacy kits, nonprofit care packages, or hospital welcome boxes, custom packaging can turn a simple collection of items into a meaningful experience. Like Berrien Books for Babies, the right box can do more than hold what’s inside — it can tell a story, create a moment, and connect people with resources from day one.