A while back while cleaning out old school papers, I found a page from kindergarten that made me pause. At the top of the paper was written, “When I grow up I want to be…” The rest of the page was left as drawing space. I had written in poorly formed, but still legible, kindergarten scrawl,
“I want to be a librarian. I want to own my own library.”
I was probably thinking more along the lines of Belle’s library in Beauty and the Beast at the time. Who doesn’t want to ride down a room on a bookcase ladder? In any case, I knew I was destined in one way or anther to own my own library. I just hadn’t imagined it would be quite so small. Despite it’s lack of sliding ladders, however, this library has brought together more friends and neighbors than a huge personal library ever could.
Last winter I wrote this post about A Suitcase Full of Books receiving an Impact Fund Little Free Library, and then tucked the package away to wait until the ground thawed so I could put it up outside. Due to lack of space for building and painting the little library, it took a little longer than I’d hoped to get it ready for use. Luckily, one rare sunny morning, a couple of friends showed up for breakfast, pointed out that we could build the library outside as it was sunny, and declared they would spend the rest of the day helping with the project!
Check out this video of the library from start to finish!
Not only were my girlfriends excited about the Little Free Library, but so were the neighborhood kids from the moment we got the package outside!
The neighborhood kids wanted to help build and paint, but I asked them to collect books to put in the library instead.While they waited for the completed library, the kids gathered books. It took a few more days to get the support pole cemented in the ground, but the kids were ready to help fill the library as soon as we put it up.
The kids took turns adding books to the new Little Free Library.Finally it was all ready for a grand-opening party! Friends and neighbors came out to eat cake, socialize, and add books to the library. I encouraged people to stick a note to the next reader inside the books that they dropped off.
See the slideshow for photos of the grand opening party!
Since opening, the library has become a favorite spot for neighbors to bring camping chairs for reading and gathering. I hope it will also be a resource for travelers looking to exchange books, as other Little Free Libraries are for me when I travel.
Thanks Little Free Library!
Eileen says
Yes. Just like your grandmother! She will be very pleased to know that.
By the way, we have one of those Little Free Libraries down the block from our home.
I lovely addition to our community.
Thanks Sara. We really enjoy yours posts.
Eileen says
Yes. Just like your grandmother! She will be very pleased to know that.
A Suitcase Full of Books says
Next time I visit I will have to keep an eye out for it! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the posts!
Tom says
Great video! Can an Oscar be far away ? (or a Pulitzer).
Division92 Librarian says
It took me a few years to go from LFL in the garage to LFL on a post and filled with books and ready for business. But it’s up and running, and the neighborhood had figured out what to do with it! I’m still going back and forth on a visitor’s log/comment book, as i suspect it will disappear quickly even with good labeling. I do have a blog for my LFL, and have that URL posted on the door of the physical LFL, so there’s plenty of opportunity for most folks to share ideas & questions.
I try to watch for LFLs when out and about, both in town and elsewhere. The hotel we stayed at in Switzerland this summer had a bookshelf for sharing books with guests (though not a registered LFL). I left the two I’d brought with me for the planes and trains, and took two for the trip home again. That’s the furthest from home so far that I’ve exchanged books. I also do BookCrossing (Div92LFL_OBCZ). I keep hoping more people will actually note where they found the books.
Enjoying your blog – thanks for sharing!
A Suitcase Full of Books says
Thank you! Where is your library and where in Switzerland did you go?
Division92 Librarian says
I’m in Portland, OR. We stayed in Wengen.