Westwood Librarian Creates 'Book Safes' To Help Domestic Violence Victims

WESTWOOD, Mass. ( WBZ NewsRadio ) — A survivor of domestic violence is using her experience and love for books to help others in need.

Westwood Librarian Molly Riportella founded BiblioUnderground in March of 2022, after helping a friend suffering from domestic violence.

“I knew that this person needed a phone that their abuser did not know existed,” said Riportella.

In order to keep the burner phone form being discovered, Riportella used her experience as a librarian, hollowing out a discarded library book to create a “book safe kit.”

“I hollow the book out, like you would see in [an old-school spy movie], and I would buy burner phones, fill them with information and put them in the book,” said Riportella.

Riportella founded BiblioUnderground with the goal of passing “book safes,” burner phones and victim resource information to organizations that can get them to those in need.

She said leaving a violent relationship is one of the most dangerous things someone can do, but she hopes the “book safes” will help make it safer.

Those interested in donating to BiblioUnderground can find out more here .

WBZ's James Rojas ( @JamesRojasMMJ ) reports.

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