Guinness World Records has confirmed that Freeport-based nonprofit The Book Fairies officially broke the record for the longest line of books, 3.81 miles, at two Wyandanch schools in November.
More than 150 volunteers spent three hours lining up 31,000 books winding through the halls and gyms at at the Lafrancis Hardiman / Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary schools in Wyandanch, thereby breaking 2017 record of a 2.6-mile-long line of books set in Illinois.
“It’s truly exhilarating to know that it is official,” said Amy Zaslansky, who founded The Book Fairies. “We literally won by a mile and set an incredible new record with the help of our dedicated volunteers, partners, and sponsors.”
The nonprofit, which recently donated its two millionth book, organized the event on Nov. 14, Guinness World Record Day, to raise awareness to their efforts to fight illiteracy by donating literature to underprivileged communities across Long Island, the New York Metro area, and overseas. The 500 boxes of books used in setting the record were donated to Wyandanch residents.
The Book Fairies will celebrate their new world record on Monday, which is Read Across America Day.
“The teamwork and excitement I witnessed during this event reinforced the reasons why I have dedicated eight years to bringing the love of books and reading to underserved populations,” Zaslansky said. “Books have immense power to uplift and bond a community. It was truly evident during this effort.”
