Madison Heights recently installed the Olde Town Little Free Library — a box for people to leave or take books for free — on the property of Madison Heights Baptist Church.
The idea to implement the library came from Madison Heights Elementary School, where it was an end-of-year project.
“We are always looking for ways to connect with our students and the community, as well as fostering a love of literacy,” Leslie Cann, a second grade teacher and implementor of the library, said. “This project has allowed us to put free, quality literature in the hands of our students, which is the number one way to increase literacy — giving children access to books.”
The library works in three ways: take a book, share a book or leave a book. Anyone who is interested in a book from the library can take it at no cost, and many times, a note will be left in the book from the previous owner.
After reading the book, the person can opt to either pass the book along or return it to any Little Free Library.
“So far, the community has been using it,” Cann said. “In fact, before we had a chance to stock it, the community began to stock it and use it.”
(Photo by Lorena Rivera)
Many people in the community of Madison Heights have played a part in kickstarting the project. The proposal originated from within Madison Heights Elementary School. The school was also responsible for coming up with the funds, installing the library and holding a book drive to initially fill the library.
According to an article in the News and Advance, the tiny library cost around $500. Lowe’s, a partner in the project, provided supplies, such as paint and varnish, while the rest of the money came from community donations. Books were provided from a book drive and purchased from vendors, according to the News and Advance.
Madison Heights Baptist Church also embraced the opportunity to have the library on its property.
“They thought it would be a great addition to the adjacent community garden and another positive way to reach out to their congregants and students in Olde Town,” Cann said.
The library was installed in June but was formally dedicated Aug. 30. According to the Little Free Library’s website, it is one of over 75,000 Little Free Libraries registered in a total of 85 countries.
Through all of these nonprofit libraries, tens of millions of books are read, shared and enjoyed each year.
According to its website, the nonprofit’s mission is “to inspire a love of reading, build community and spark creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world.”
More information on the Little Free Library and how to get involved can be found at https://littlefreelibrary.org/.