MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – October 22, 2025 — The Early Learning Coalition of Brevard (ELC Brevard), in partnership with Clearwave Fiber, celebrated the grand opening of a new Little Free Library at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center on October 20. The installation marks the Coalition’s first library in Merritt Island and the 11th across Brevard County since 2023.
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Clearwave Fiber CEO David Armistead said the initiative reflects the company’s belief that strong communities are built through both connection and knowledge.
“By donating a Little Free Library to the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center, we’re supporting literacy and lifelong learning,” Armistead said. “Just as our Fiber Internet empowers people with access to information, we hope this library inspires curiosity, reading, and community engagement for generations to come.”
Clearwave Fiber’s broader mission focuses on bridging the digital divide—recognizing that access to high-speed Internet must be paired with resources and skills to use that access meaningfully. Supporting literacy, the company says, is a natural extension of that mission.
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Promoting Literacy Through “Soar By Four”
The project falls under ELC Brevard’s Soar By Four initiative, a community-based program designed to increase Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) enrollment and promote early education. The initiative combines educational programming, family engagement, and community outreach to ensure that every Brevard child enters school prepared to succeed.
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Aubree Williams, Communications Specialist for ELC Brevard, said the Little Free Libraries help remove barriers to access in “book desert” areas.
“Early and easy access to books builds the foundation for a lifetime of learning,” Williams said. “These libraries make it possible for families to share in the joy of reading together, no matter where they live, thanks to the generous support of Clearwave Fiber.”
Children from Launch Learning Preschool helped inaugurate the new library by placing the first signed books inside. Each child also received a book, a Clearwave Fiber bookmark, and a certificate of participation.
A Partnership Rooted in Community
Shelley Hallier, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Clearwave Fiber, led the ribbon cutting.
“Literacy is foundational to education, economic opportunity, and civic participation,” Hallier said. “When young people are given the opportunity to learn and explore, they unlock the doors to their future.”
The Brevard Veterans Memorial Center, chosen for its family-friendly setting and educational focus, proved to be an ideal location. The Center hosts frequent field trips and educational tours for local schools.
“The Little Free Library is a perfect fit for our park near the pavilion and playground,” said Dean Schaff, President of the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center. “It aligns with our mission to educate youth about our history while engaging them in learning opportunities.”
Expanding Access Across Brevard
With 11 Little Free Libraries now installed across the county, ELC Brevard continues to work toward its goal of ensuring that every child has access to books and early learning resources. Families visiting the Veterans Memorial Center can now borrow, exchange, and share books at no cost, both inside the museum’s main library and at the new outdoor location near the playground.
For more information and a full list of Little Free Library locations, visit the Soar By Four webpage on ELC Brevard’s site.
About Clearwave Fiber:
Clearwave Fiber is an Internet service provider operating a 100% Fiber network across the Southeast and Midwest. Headquartered in Savannah, Georgia, the company employs over 300 people and provides service to businesses and residences in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, and Kansas. Learn more at ClearwaveFiber.com.
About the Early Learning Coalition of Brevard:
The ELC of Brevard County is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring all children enter school ready to learn. The agency supports families through high-quality early education opportunities and resources, recognizing parents as a child’s first and most important teachers.
