A worldwide initiative called Little Free Libraries has arrived at the East Chicago Public Library, an effort to encourage people to take books and promote reading.
The free book program is sponsored by the not-for-profit organization Little Free Libraries. The program supports a worldwide movement to offer free books housed in small containers to members of a local community.
“Our goal is to develop a literacy-friendly community,” East Chicago Public Library public relations director LaTonya Hicks said. “I think this box will bring more people into the library.”
About 100 people were in attendance at the recent unveiling ceremony, which was staged to involve residents in the quest to promote a love for reading and to highlight the importance of literacy.
More Top Picks Best Adjustable Bed Tables For Reading
The free books, for both children and adults, are offered in small “houses” in the Main Reading Rooms at both the Main Branch and the Pastrick Branch.
The theme is, “Take a Book, Expand Your Mind.”
The supply comes from the library’s surplus — books that have been deleted from the catalog and extra ones from past orders, according to reference librarian Rebecca Bloodworth, who was at the ceremony.
“It’s all about getting the residents interested in reading,” she said. “Hopefully, they will go to the organization’s website and get further information about the beauty of sharing.”
East Chicago mom Karli Ruiz lives near the East Chicago Public Library Pastrick Branch and plans to bring her children to see the Little Free Library there.
“This is a great idea for my kids,” she said. “They are trying to build up their book shelves at home and this is a good way to start.”
Ruiz said that as the children get older, their tastes in reading change, so many of the books they receive as gifts eventually are tossed aside. “This free book program will help them to reach their next reading level.”
According to the website www.littlefreelibrary.org, Wisconsin resident Todd Bol developed an idea to honor his mother, a teacher who had loved books and encouraged people to read.
He built a box in his home in Hudson, Wis, waterproofed it and filled it with books. Similar to a miniature one-room schoolhouse, it sported a sign that said “Free Book Exchange.” Bol nailed it on a post outside his house and invited neighbors to take a book, and return a book.
It was an instant hit — not just with the neighbors, but with anyone else passing by.
“People of all ages — men, women, kids — came up and just loved the library,” he said.
The idea mushroomed, and today there are Little Free Libraries in at least 40 states and 20 countries, according to the website. Since July, more than 30,000 Little Free Libraries have been registered worldwide.
Although some have offered the program as an exchange — take a book and leave a book — the East Chicago Public Library decided to make its program free, without visitors having to leave a book.
More information: East Chicago Public Library, 219-397-2453.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.