Take a book, leave a book

 

By Julianna Bonnett

All you have to do to is take a book and leave one, it is as simple as it sounds and hundreds of people in the Windsor-Essex area are taking advantage of Little Free Library book exchange.

The concept of the Little Free Library is to promote literacy and build a connection throughout the local community. It is easy, you just leave a book and take a book. A free exchange and a new learning experience every time.

Margret Aldrich, program manager for Little Free Library, said it brings people together.

“Through Little Free Libraries, millions of books are exchanged each year and offer books for all ages,” said Aldrich.

Aldrich said Little Free Library is not just a local program but it is done internationally. ”World-wide there are 50,000 registered libraries.”

The Windsor Public Library, Rotary Club of Windsor 1918, Rotary Club of Windsor Roseland, Life After Fifty, the Essex Region Conservation Authority and Douglas Marketing Group, officially launched Little Free Libraries in Windsor in 2015.

“It is great how more people are opening up their own little libraries on their front lawns,” said Angela Sbrocca, a library service representative at Seminole Branch of the Windsor Public Library.

“The Little Free Libraries in Windsor and Essex are used daily. It’s great because our issue a few years ago was a lot of people were not using libraries at all. Ever since this idea happened it feels like more people are active and more interested in literacy,” Sbrocca said.

The Little Free Library became a non- profit organization in 2012. Throughout the tiny libraries, millions of books are exchanged each year. The first Little Free Library was built in 2009 in Hudson, Wisconsin by Todd Bol.

According to LittleFreeLibrary.org, Todd, made the first Little Free Library as a tribute to his mother, a teacher, who loved to read. He started filling it with books and put it on a post in his front yard. His neighbors and friends loved it, so he built several more and gave them away.

Little Free Library owners, known as stewards, can purchase a library box or they can create their own and register it on the Little Free Library website. People who register for Little Free Library receive a sign for their library that reads “Little Free Library” and features an official charter number.

Chantelle Trepanier, 26, said she takes full advantage of the program whenever she can.

“I have been going to the Free Little Libraries since they brought them to Windsor two years ago. I want my kids to be big in literacy and be as educated as they can. Having this program helps promotes it.”

“Currently eleven Little Free Libraries are in the Windsor-Essex area and there are more on the way,” said Aldrich.

The Little Free Library’s newest program is the Action Book Club, which combines reading with community service. Go to https://littlefreelibrary.org/actionbookclub/ to learn more.