Eileen and Tom O’Hare are glad to see a slightly worn path from the street to the red maple tree in their beautiful front lawn. For the O’Hares, at 12 Highview Circle in Sweden Village, it is a welcome sign that people have walked up to the “Little Free Library” mounted in that tree. The sign reads, “Books. Take one. Leave one.”
The O’Hare library is one of 36,000 Little Free Libraries around the world, including 70 countries. The mission of the movement is: “To promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges worldwide and to build a sense of community as we share skills, creativity and wisdom across generations” (Web site www.littlefreelibrary.org).
Exchanging good books and bringing people together
Eileen O’Hare is a registered “steward” in the organization. It costs just $25 to register and appear on the web site map. There is minimal expense to build the library. Books usually come from the steward’s own collection. Sometimes they’re donated by supporters or purchased at used book sales.
Eileen retired in 2006 as a librarian at Drake Memorial Library at The College at Brockport. She has worked as a volunteer in literacy. After learning of the movement, the O’Hares were inspired to open their library last August. “I thought of all the walkers in the neighborhood who could use it,” she said.
Eileen chooses books to appeal to a variety of people: Toddlers, young readers, history books, novels and romances. She is a strong promoter of the public library, hoping that discovering an author or theme in her little library will lead the reader to seek more of the same at the public library.
Two other registered stewards in the greater Brockport area are Barbara Filardo at 39 Cherry Drive in Brockport and Kenya Malcolm at 834 Trimmer Road in Spencerport.
Barbara Filardo retired from the Holley School District three years ago after teaching third grade for most of her 42 years in the district. She first discovered the Little Free Library while walking in Saratoga Springs with her granddaughter who exclaimed, “Gramma, look, we can take a book!”
Started last spring, Barbara’s little library provides year-round reading from pre-K through fifth grade. She loves decorating the house-style library for the seasons and holidays and provides books with the same themes. She has welcomed children of young families in the neighborhood, grandchildren visiting retired couples, and children from a local day care.
Kenya Malcolm is a psychologist at UR Strong in Rochester. “I enjoy books. It’s a hobby of mine,” she said, adding she volunteers for a teen book festival and a children’s library. She provides for a variety of readers including for young adults and children. She regrets her road does not have much foot traffic, but tries to lure walkers, bikers and drivers with occasional signs, such as “Read Across America Day” and “Dr. Zeus’s Birthday.”
Crafted by family, neighbors, professionals
The little libraries worldwide consist of a variety of sizes and creative, sometimes fantastic, designs (see www.pinterest.com, search Little Free Library). Some are handcrafted from scratch; others are modified objects like a grandfather clock, a phone booth, a small refrigerator, the top cabinet of a buffet and more.
“The libraries are elaborately decorated to draw interest and to make people feel welcome to approach and use them,” Eileen O’Hare said. The O’Hares built a basic box. Then the Reixingers next door offered embellishments. Dave Reixinger built a sloped roof and placed glass in the door. His wife Charlene decorated the little library in a MacKenzie-Childs style.
Barbara Filardo’s little library, shaped like a house, was a Mother’s Day gift last year. She had expressed interest since the Saratoga Springs discovery. Her daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter built it in their Saratoga Springs home and surprised her with it.
Kenya Malcolm on Trimmer Road designed hers. A friend led her to a retired wood worker in Rochester who built it.
Fun for everyone
“It’s been so much fun and inspirational for me, something I do because I love it,” Eileen said. She named some of the visitors: A mother and two daughters reading on the lawn; a mother bringing her son regularly; a man interested in World War II books; and teenage and younger children.
Some of the visitors at the O’Hare little library have written comments in a notebook provided: “This is adorable and so great for our neighborhood. Thank you.” “Terrific idea. Borrowed The Red Tent; very interesting; always wanted to read it.” “Thanks for these books, Kyle age 4.” “Thank you. So happy to see literacy on our street.”
The O’Hares plan improvements such as an addition for more books and a bench (placed since the interview). As for that worn path in the lawn, they plan to lay stepping stones to make a welcoming approach for visitors.
