Clarendon Hills has added a book sharing library to its main train shelter at the village’s Metra station.
Books were installed Wednesday March 1 by Vicki Pries, executive assistant, who came up with the idea. The book sharing library is located next to the ATM in the main shelter.
“The idea was part of the original plan that I recalled while cleaning out my family’s book shelves, so I decided to finish the idea,” Pries said.
She said the library shelves can hold an estimated 200-plus books.
“It was installed with 40 books, comprising of both children and adult reads,” Pries said. “I kept some additional books and holiday themed books to add to the library later.”
The process for borrowing books from the library is simple.
“Like most neighborhood sharing libraries — the kind you see in people’s front yards — you take a book, read it, keep it and hopefully return it for another person to read,” Pries said, adding that people also may leave a book they’ve already read for someone else to read.
Pries said it’s too early to have received any community feedback about the sharing library.
“We haven’t heard any feedback but I’ve noticed several books are already taken,” she said. “We are hoping this gives people who want to read an actual book on the train or while waiting an opportunity too. Let’s face it, sometimes we want a break from our electronic device.
“I personally love to hold a paper book and was pleased to be part of this idea. I usually just donate my books to my local library. Even if passengers just want to read while waiting for the train, it’s just a nice idea. It might even create a distraction for some kids too. It’s our hope the community will add some of their great reads to the library too.”
Village Manager Kevin Barr agreed.
“In a day of tablets, some commuters still like to read a paper book once in a while,” he said. “There are some children’s books too. It’s like the neighborhood library boxes where you take a book or share a book.”
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.