Our Story…
How It All Began
The Sandcastle Children's Library was founded in 2008 by longtime Summertown resident Mrs. Sandy Curtis, whose love of books, learning, and children inspired her to create a special place for young readers in our community.
An avid reader with a master's degree in Library Science, Sandy believed deeply in the value of education and the importance of sharing that love of learning with others. Sandcastle was a reflection of that passion; a small, community-centered library dedicated to putting books into the hands of children.
The library found its home in Gould Children's Park, on land that was deeded to "the children of Summertown" in 1921. It is a fitting home for a library created especially for children, and a piece of local history we are proud to be part of.
Sandy passed away in May 2024, leaving behind a library that continues to reflect her commitment to children, literacy, and community.
A New Chapter…
In 2026, a new group of volunteers came together with a shared hope of bringing Sandcastle back to life.
With a newly formed board of directors and the leadership of co-directors Sarah, Laura, and Ann, the library reopened its doors in July 2026, welcoming families back into the space.
Our goal is both to honor what Sandy started and to build on it. Alongside our collection of books for babies through teens, we are growing our programming to include weekly storytimes, creative workshops, family gatherings, and other free opportunities for children and families to learn and connect.
We are still a small, volunteer-run library, and there's plenty we are learning as we go! But we are excited about what Sandcastle is becoming with the continued involvement and support of our amazing community!
A little library for big imaginations — then, now, and for generations to come.
