How The Baltimore Youth Lives Are Much Better With This Radical Street Librarian

Three years ago, Araba Maze was simply enjoying a moment with her niece, reading a book on the front stoop of her Baltimore home. This seemingly ordinary activity unexpectedly grew into a community event as more local children gathered around for what became an impromptu “stoop storytime.”

Initially puzzled by the growing audience, Maze soon realized the significance when, after finishing one story, the children pleaded for another. When she suggested they read at home, their response was heart-wrenching: “We don’t have any books.” This moment marked the beginning of Maze’s journey into librarianship and advocacy for children’s literacy.

Araba Maze, now known as Storybook Maze, decided to tackle the problem head-on. Recognizing that her neighborhood was one of Baltimore’s most severe ‘book deserts,’ she began working at the nearest library, though it was still far from many children’s homes. Armed with her training and a passion for change, Maze curated collections of books and devised creative ways to distribute them to children in need.

Her first major initiative was the installation of a free book vending machine. Leveraging her growing popularity on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, Maze successfully raised funds to place the machine in a central, accessible location in 2023. This machine became a hit, allowing children to obtain books easily and freely. Maze’s social media campaigns also supported her pop-up bookstores, where she distributed over 7,000 books, significantly impacting her community.

Maze’s ‘stoop storytimes’ continued to play a crucial role in her mission. These sessions, where she read to children on various stoops around the city, not only provided immediate access to stories but also drove publicity and community engagement through her vibrant social media presence. “It’s amazing to see the kids’ faces light up when they hear a story,” Maze shared. “These moments spark a love for reading that might not have been there before.”

Now, Storybook Maze is embarking on her most ambitious project yet: a book trolley. This colorful children’s train aims to travel through Baltimore’s book deserts, bringing stories directly to the children who need them the most. With a goal of raising $100,000 on GoFundMe, Maze envisions a mobile book haven. “This book haven on wheels aims to break down barriers and provide access to books that traditional libraries can’t reach,” she wrote. “As the wheels of the Book Trolley turn, so do the pages of countless stories waiting to be discovered.”

The book trolley is designed to be more than just a mobile library; it’s a symbol of accessibility and hope. Maze plans to fill the trolley’s carriage cars with a diverse range of books, ensuring that children from all backgrounds can find stories that resonate with them. “Every child deserves to see themselves in the pages of a book,” Maze explained. “The Book Trolley will help make that possible.”

Maze’s efforts highlight a critical issue in urban areas: the lack of access to books and the profound impact this has on children’s literacy and development. By bringing books directly to children, Maze is not only fostering a love of reading but also empowering the next generation with knowledge and imagination.

As Storybook Maze continues to inspire and innovate, her work serves as a reminder of the power of one person’s dedication to creating change. Through her creative solutions and unwavering commitment, Araba Maze is transforming her community, one book at a time.