The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Story continues for Free Little Libraries
Locations remain popular in Lake, Geauga
A project that began in one man’s front yard in a small Wisconsin town is still having repercussions across the globe, including in Northeast Ohio communities.
Although Little Free Libraries founder Todd Bol lost a battle with cancer in October, his legacy lives on in Lake County and beyond.
These book stations continue to pop up nine years after Bol built the first one — in the shape of a mini, one-room schoolhouse and filled with books for neighbors, in honor of his late mother, a teacher who loved to read.
Today, there are more than 75,000 Little Free Libraries in all 50 states and 88 countries, according to nonprofit littlefreelibrary. org.
Local library officials say these locations have proven popular and continue to carry out the mission of increasing literacy and bringing communities together.
Getting a good read
Up to 61 percent of lowincome families do not have any books for their children at home, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
The concept of these little libraries is a free book exchange, bringing books to the people, rather than waiting for them to come to a traditional library.
Mentor Public Library, for example, has 16 such spots, though some are seasonal. During peak season (summer), they need to be refilled multiple times a week, said spokesman Jason Lea.
“We wanted the Little Free Libraries in diverse locations where people gathered — parks, pools, things of that nature,” he said. “Additionally, some businesses and organizations requested a Little Free Library. We tried to accommodate those wishes whenever possible.”
Locations comprise Mentor Dog Park on Hopkins Road, Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve, Wildwood Cultural Center, Garfield Park, Walsh Park, the Commemorative Rose Garden at Route 20 and Hart Street, Veterans Park, Mentor Ice Arena, Yours Truly Restaurant, The News-Herald, Crossroads, ErieBank, Memorial Middle School and Hope Ridge Methodist Church.
“We realize that not everyone is going to cross the thresholds of our branches,” Lea said. “We still want to be part of their lives. We still want books to be part of their lives, so we try to make it as convenient as possible to get one. After all, both money and location can be barriers to sharing the joy of literacy.”
He also sees the Little Free Libaries fostering a sense of community.
“Maybe a book can bring you and a neighbor together,” he said. “Maybe it can be a reward for a child after an afternoon in the park. As our lives become more tied to screens, we keep innovating new ways to isolate ourselves. These Little Free Libraries bring people together.”
Stocking up
Some Little Free Libraries receive community contributions; all are sustained with books weeded from the main branch collections.
Volunteers serve as “stewards” of these locations checking them at least weekly.
“It can be a lot of work, especially at the busier LFLs, and we’re tremendously grateful to these stewards,” Lea said.
Businesses and other organizations are responsible for stewarding their own little libraries.
Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library has locations at Jakse Park in Eastlake and at Osborne Park in Willoughby, plus it helps to stock some sites in Willowick.
“All of the items that are placed in the libraries were once library books,” said Lori Caszatt, the communications and development manager. “If an item is deemed to be in bad shape, it will be made available in book sales held by the Willoughby-Eastlake Library Boosters or discarded. The books placed in the libraries are for adults, teens and children.”
Geauga County Public Library has two little libraries — in the Geauga County Safety Center and at Geauga County Job and Family Services. United Way Services of Geauga County also installed and maintains several little libraries in the county.
“The Little Libraries are well used at the Safety Center and JFS,” said Nick Fagan, Geauga County Public Library’s mobile services manager. “We visit every two weeks to straighten up and restock the collection. Each visit, we can see that books have found new homes.”
It is evident that the community is contributing as well, he said.
Friends of Morley Library keep the little library stocked at Lake County Central YMCA in Painesville. The site opened in August 2017 and offers a variety of items, including books in Spanish.
Such collaborations and community partnerships are paramount to making the little libraries possible, Lea said.
“They understand the value of these Little Free Libraries,” he sad. “They’ve accommodated and encouraged us. They are sharing the joy of reading and making our community a better place.”
Occasional issues
Because most of the LFL locations aren’t monitored 24/7, they are, at times, the victims of vandalism.
Mentor library closed one at Morton Park five years ago because of the problem. There also were a couple of incidents at Veterans Park this year, but a security camera was installed and there have been no issues since, Lea said.
“In general, issues with vandalism have been few and far between,” he said.
The Little Free Library at Jakse Park was vandalized last year. The teen responsible was identified and, working with the Eastlake Police Department, the library gave him the option to replace it at a cost of $500 or build a new one.
“The young man chose to build a new one and it is beautiful,” Caszatt said. “He did a wonderful job and hopefully learned a lesson as well.”