Who We Are

Streetside Library is a nonprofit mobile library service that supplements existing library resources in homeless shelters and low-performing public schools in the greater New Orleans area by bringing targeted, exciting, diverse, and expansive book collections to young people.

We work with shelters serving families, women and children, and youth living on their own, by designing, organizing, and curating libraries. We transform unused and under-utilized spaces into libraries with expansive book collections by supplementing existing libraries with books from our collection and providing weekly maintenance. We also take requests for desired books, introduce book reviews, and give recommendations to residents. And for the younger readers, we will provide literacy-based, age-appropriate activities that encourage conversation and higher-order thinking.

We provide residents assistance with developing a home library when leaving the shelter through donations from our community and organization. Having books at home creates a space where there can be a culture of reading, and it encourages family time to read together or in parallel, as well as encourages rereading books. Rereading is important to young children's literacy development, and having books at home that they love and that interest them makes it easy.

Streetside Library also works with teachers, especially those just starting out, in classrooms to collaborate on high-quality book selections that align with their student’s interests and the current themes and lessons in the classroom. We work closely with teachers to select authors whose books resonate with students, reflect classroom diversity, and meet curriculum needs. We use checklists and guidelines from well-researched literature to help develop classroom libraries with loans from our collection and recommendations for teachers to provide students with a literacy-rich environment in which to learn.

Our library contains vibrant and diverse book collections specially curated to meet the needs of children and families in their community. A core collection promotes emergent literacy development and social and emotional learning. The book collections are age-appropriate and high-interest, and they contain titles that are recently released, classic, and award-winning and align with curricula and recommended reading lists.

Meet the Book Ladies

Co-Director

Jaime Buck

Jaime Buck is a licensed social worker with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Loyola University, a master’s degree in Sociology from the University of New Orleans and a master’s degree in Social Work from Tulane University. Her career began as a researcher at Tulane studying homelessness and addictions in New Orleans. After having her two children, her focus shifted to working with children and families. Since that time, Jaime has spent many years as a Parent Educator at the Parenting Center at Children’s Hospital and at Early Learning Focus (a local non-profit) teaching social emotional and literacy skills to children in New Orleans public charter schools as well as tutoring young children in reading.

Co-Director

Maggie Tufail

Maggie Tufail is a certified teacher with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders and a master’s degree in Special Education, both from Louisiana State University. Throughout her career, she has taught Pre-K and Kindergarten students with autism and developmental delays and served as a middle school special education support teacher. She has also worked as a hospital-bound teacher, assisted in teacher training programs, tutored second and third graders in reading, and worked with Early Learning Focus teaching social emotional and literacy skills to children in New Orleans schools.

Our Board

Streetside Library is a woman-led organization. Our Board of Directors brings together leaders from urban planning, communications, construction, healthcare, business, and public service—each deeply committed to advancing equitable access to knowledge and opportunity for all New Orleanians.

Leadership

President

Sarah Oliver

Sarah Olivier has dedicated more than 20 years to planning and community development in New

Orleans, with a deep focus on green-space access, climate resilience, and affordable housing.

She currently serves as Senior Planner at CSRS Inc., where her projects include supporting the

Louisiana Housing Corporation’s HOME program processes, the Baton Rouge Lakes project, and the

City of Mandeville’s resilience plan.

Previously, Sarah was Director of Planning for City Park, managing master and strategic planning for the

park’s 1,300-acre historic grounds. Before that, she served as New Orleans Program Director for The

Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit dedicated to conservation and public space access. Her

background also includes extensive experience in affordable housing through Low-Income Housing Tax

Credit developments and homeownership programs.

A Rockefeller Foundation Redevelopment Fellow through the University of Pennsylvania, Sarah holds a

Certificate in Urban Development, a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of New

Orleans, and a BA from St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland.

As President of the Streetside Library Board, Sarah brings strategic leadership, deep planning expertise,

and a lifelong commitment to equitable community development—qualities that guide the organization’s

mission to foster literacy, connection, and place-making throughout New Orleans.

Secretary

Christy Harowski

Christy Harowski is the founder and CEO of HCB Strategies, a national consulting firm specializing in

strategic communications, executive advisory services, campaign and coalition building, and

organizational improvement. With over two decades of experience in public policy, infrastructure, and

community advocacy, she helps organizations achieve meaningful, sustainable impact.

Before launching HCB Strategies, Christy served as Director of the Value of Water Campaign for the

U.S. Water Alliance, leading a nationwide coalition advocating for long-term investment in America’s

water infrastructure. She previously served as Chief of Staff for the Sewerage & Water Board of New

Orleans, focusing on policy development, government relations, and innovative funding initiatives. Earlier

in her career, she worked as Director of Special Projects for the Business Council of New Orleans, where

she specialized in government-centric policy development and advocacy.

Christy holds a BS in Journalism with honors from the University of Florida and a JD, magna cum laude,

from Tulane University. She has also served as adjunct faculty at Tulane Law School and is a member of

the Louisiana Chapter of the International Women’s Forum.

As Secretary of the Streetside Library Board, Christy applies her expertise in strategy, communication,

and public service to help guide the organization’s growth. Her leadership strengthens Streetside

Library’s efforts to promote literacy, creativity, and community connection across New Orleans.

Treasurer

Jenny Bond

Jenny Bond is a student at LSU pursuing her MD and MPH. She graduated from Tulane, earning her Bachelor of Science in Public Health and Bachelor of Science in Cellular and Molecular Biology. Jenny is the Program Operations Professional for emPOWER NOLA, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars program addressing childhood trauma through the reach of New Orleans culture bearers and school health professionals. Here, Jenny writes grants and academic papers about childhood trauma and assists with qualitative and quantitative program evaluation. Additionally, she is a CASA volunteer who advocates for youth in foster care, and she spent several years working with Electric Girls, a nonprofit organization promoting girls in STEM.

Board Member

Lakischia Smith

A New Orleans native, Lakischia Smith established WHO DAT Barbershop Inc in 2009. Receiving a formal education as a Registered Nurse from Delgado Community College and Charity School of Nursing, Smith had no prior experience in barbering or cosmetology. Her passion for serving others and giving back to the community led her to incorporate philanthropy into the core business values. Her business success expanded online with an Amazon Store called WHO DAT Deals. She then started a non-profit called WHO DAT Cares Foundation, which focuses on providing reading books to school-age children. After receiving honors and awards for business community outreach, Lakischia remains dedicated to increasing her community footprint in New Orleans. She also sits on the board of Fund 17, an organization that helps entrepreneurs.

Board Member

Mai Dinh

Mai Dinh is the owner and founder of Aiko Construction, a New Orleans-based construction company known for quality, innovation, and community-centered development. Since establishing Aiko Construction, Mai has led numerous residential and commercial projects that enhance the city’s built environment while prioritizing sustainability and inclusion.

Mai has spent most of her years in New Orleans and is a committed volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, helping build homes and providing hope to local families. Additionally, she volunteers with the Louisiana Just Recovery Network, contributing to equitable rebuilding and climate resilience initiatives across the

region.

Through her work in both construction and community service, Mai understands how thoughtful design and accessible spaces strengthen neighborhoods and foster a sense of belonging.

As a member of the Streetside Library Board, she brings entrepreneurial experience, project

management expertise, and a solutions-oriented approach to advancing literacy and community

engagement. Her passion for service and neighborhood revitalization makes her a vital contributor to Streetside Library’s mission of creating welcoming spaces that inspire learning and creativity.

Community Partners

Swipe to see a few of our partnerships!