Little bookworms who frequent the Little Free Library kiosks around town will be pleased to learn a new one has popped up at Sankey Park, and more are coming.
Nine new LFL kiosks have been purchased to replace the ones at the elementary schools and expand the program at other locations in order to provide more access to books for children.
These little libraries allow book readers to take any of the books they want. Though they are encouraged to return the books or donate their own used titles, it is not required.
“LFLs share the love of books and reading to neighborhoods,” Library Director Megan Dazey said.
In 2017, the Friends of the Library funded the first four little libraries made of wood. The cabinet-style boxes were placed at Foster, Hawthorne and Oak Heights elementary schools, as well as the Boys & Girls Club and Crawfordsville Market (for the Holley School kids).
Rose Peda, library director at the time, said the intent was to get books into kids’ hands to encourage them to read during the summer. Library staff were to make the books available during the summer months and change them out weekly. Peda also considered an idea to give prizes to children who completed book reports.
A private home on Elm Street also hosted its own little library, and another homeowner on Long Street built one for adults and kids alike that same year.
But since then, books have been in rotation during winter months, which is proving to be a challenge.
“Visiting the LFLs at schools, we noticed how the books were getting wet and we became unable to use most of them during the rainy seasons,” Dazey said. “Most of the libraries that were purchased recently are replacing previous LFLs that were made by community members (seven) years ago and are no longer waterproof or have weathered not so well. It is Oregon, it rains a lot here.”
The new, weatherproof little libraries will replace the wooden ones for the elementary schools and Boys & Girls Club. The junior high and high schools will also get one, and one is being reserved for the new park currently being built at Osage Street and 42nd Avenue.
Dazey explained the Osage park little library might be installed at City Hall until the park is completed.
Five of the new little libraries were funded by a Sweet Home Community Foundation grant through Friends of the Library, two were purchased by the City of Sweet Home and two more were purchased by the Sweet Home Public Library.
In addition to being weatherproof, another benefit to the new little libraries is that they will all be registered online on the official Little Free Library website (https://littlefreelibrary.org/map/), making it easier for families to locate them.
“This is great for kids and families that can’t make it to the library,” Dazey said. “It also gives a reason to go for a walk in your neighborhood to visit the LFL.”