Shared Stories
Little Free Libraries seen in Yuma offer chance to find, exchange books
Area book lovers can rejoice as a sprinkling of colorful Little Free Libraries have been placed in various locations throughout Yuma.
The concept is simple: take a book, and/or leave a book. Little Free Libraries have their roots stemming back to 2009 when Todd Bol Hudson of Wisconsin built a model of a oneroom schoolhouse as a tribute to his mother.
Since his mother was a teacher who loved to read, Hudson filled the schoolhouse with books and put it in his front yard, according to the Little Free Library website.
Later, the project became a nonprofit organization that fosters neighborhood book exchanges around the world.
According to Yuma Sun Editor Roxanne Molenar and Yuma Sun Publisher Lisa Reilly, the idea to bring them here came about years ago when former Yuma Sun Desert Life editor Darin Fenger brought the idea to their attention.
“It was not until now that, with the help of other agencies, the project of boosting literacy in Yuma County came to fruition,” Reilly said. “The Yuma Sun is always looking for ways to support literacy in our community, and in October of 2016, we met with United Way and NexGen to explore the ways the newspaper could be involved in placing more Little Free Libraries in the community.”
Coincidentally, they noted that a few years ago, Molenar’s husband, Matt Molenar, built a Little Free Library for her as a Christmas present.
“It’s a neighborhood conversation piece, while at the same time providing a homegrown way to share books with one another,” Roxanne Molenar said. “The take a book, leave a book idea resonates with people.”
Now, the concept has spread throughout the local community.
“The Yuma Sun donated several gently used newspaper boxes, NexGen worked with the Littlewood Co-Op to get the libraries decorated, and United Way and the Yuma Sun organized sponsors and locations for the libraries,” Reilly said. “United Way and the Littlewood Co-Op also donated stacks of books to help seed the project. Penn Signs, meanwhile, donated the sponsor plaques for each Little Free Library.”
Karina Jones, CEO of United Way of Yuma County, said the books were gathered in various ways.
“Some books were purchased by United Way of Yuma County and others were donated,” she said. “We received books from the Xi Zeta Chapter of Beta Sigma Pi and an abundance of books from Yuma’s 50for50 Project.”
In total, about eight Little Free Libraries have made their way out to the community from this project thus far, from San Luis to the Foothills. A few others will be delivered shortly, Molenar and Reilly noted.
Through the donated books, the Little Free Libraries were filled from the onset with novels of different genres from children’s books to adult fiction and nonfiction.
“We all know how reading books expands vocabulary, general knowledge, literacy and childhood development,” said Matt Molenar. “But, it’s also wonderful to just see kids enjoy a book. My family gets so excited to see random cars pull up in front of our house and a bunch of kids jump out to excitedly pick books out of our LFL (Little Free Library). And we get just as excited to check what books people leave behind.”
Visitors of the Little Free Libraries are encouraged to not only take a book (no return necessary), but leave a book to keep the library stocked as part of the exchange.
“Therefore the stock of books is self-sustaining through the people who regularly take and leave them,” Matt Molenar said. “After all, when you finish reading a book, what do you do with it? It’s inconceivable to think of throwing it in the trash. You want to give it to someone else so they can enjoy it too. And the LFL (Little Free Library) program offers a venue to do that for the entire community.”
According to the Little Free Library Frequently Asked Questions webpage, there are over 50,000 registered Little Free Libraries book exchanges worldwide in all 50 U.S. states and over 70 countries around the world.
“United Way’s mission is to break the cycle of poverty for local families,” Jones said. “According to the U.S. Department of Education, up to 61 percent of low-income families do not have any books for their kids at home. Studies show that one simple way to improve the reading achievement in children is to increase their access to books, especially at home. I believe the Little Libraries do just that — easy access and they’re free!”
The Little Free Library website also shows three out of four people report they’ve read a book they normally would not have read because of a Little Free Library.
“Any time one opens a book, one expands one’s horizons,” said Roxanne Molenar. “Whether it’s a cookbook to make a delicious dinner, a biography on a past president, a children’s book of poetry, or a sci-fi novel set on Mars, reading opens doors, builds imaginations, and helps people grow. It’s powerful, empowering and important both for individuals and communities as a whole.”
In addition to the boundless worlds of literature found within the Little Free Libraries, the outside of the containers were painted and decorated by local artists and community members, from adults to children.
“Let’s face it — newspaper boxes serve a purpose, but they aren’t the most attractive things out there,” Reilly said. “When they are housing newspapers, we want them to be functional, clean and clearly labeled. However, in the right artist’s hands, they can be amazing pieces of art, while still promoting our message of community literacy. With these Little Free Libraries, we realized that not only do we have a chance to put books in people’s hands, we had a chance to put art in the community.”
Reilly and Roxanne Molenar noted they were delighted that Lia and Stefanie Littlewood at the co-op were willing to take this project on, adding the artists’ participation made the boxes amazing.
Lia Littlewood said the libraries were decorated by not only artists, but community members, young and old, who were invited to help decorate and paint them as they visited the co-op.
“We felt that since this was for the community, painting them could be a community effort,” she said. “We love the concept
and we were delighted to be a part of it.”
Roxanne Molenar and Reilly noted that without the effort of many in Yuma, the project would not have been realized.
“We appreciate the support of our partners and our sponsors! We hope this is a project that our community truly enjoys,” Reilly said. “And, if you are looking for a good book — or you just want to donate a few — check out one of our Little Free Library locations!”
For more information on Little Free Libraries and a map of locations, visit littlefreelibrary.org or call (715) 690-2488.