Dr. Suzanna Warnock helps her four-year-old son, Liam choose a book from VFL’s Little Free Library recently established in Clarkesville’s Pitts Park.
There’s a new addition to Clarkesville’s Pitts Park and if you like to read, this one’s for you! With the help of Volunteers For Literacy board member Helen O’Brien, her husband, Tom Gagnon and several city workers, Volunteers For Literacy (VFL) of Habersham County has erected a Little Free Library (LFL) box next to the playground. Now, moms or dads who are there with their little ones for play time can take a break and read or borrow a book or two. Adults finishing up their daily walk, can go on over and see what adult selections are there.
“The idea behind Little Free Library is that it offers a way to share good things to read,” O’Brien explained. “Patrons can help by keeping the collection stocked with good reading material for all ages.”
Painted red with a bright yellow door, the Library is open to all.
“It belongs to all of us,” she added. “If you see something you would like to read or for your child to read, take it. Then you can return it here or share it with a friend. If you have books at home you want to share, this is the place to take them.”
Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that connects neighborhoods around the love of reading through book exchanges. In 2015, Little Free Library’s work was recognized by the Library of Congress for Best Practices in Literacy. Currently, the organization is working to increase the number of LFLs in the United States and around the globe with an initiative to have 100,000 registered book exchanges in place by the end of 2017.
“The City is thankful to Volunteers for Literacy for providing the book exchange at Pitts Park and excited to help encourage reading,” said Clarkesville City Clerk Glenda Smith. “Reading is a great form of entertainment; it helps develop a child’s imagination, and improves their vocabulary. Through reading, children learn about people, places, and events outside their own experiences. The City hopes everyone takes advantage of this Little Free Library.”
In 2012 the Associated Press declared LFL “A global sensation.” Since then countless media outlets including USA Today, the Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune, LA Times, and the Huffington Post have named Little Free Library a global movement.
As of May, 2016 there are 40,000 LFL book exchanges around the world. They are represented in all 50 states and more than 70 countries.
Each LFL has a steward that monitors the box to make sure it is in good condition and to add any books that might be needed. The steward for Pitts Park LFL is retired educator Pauline Dorman. If users of the LFL do not replenish books, Dorman will obtain books from VFL’s book bank where thousands of books are stored for the little libraries and other community needs.
“VFL has three other Little Free Libraries in Habersham,” said VFL Coordinator Phylecia Wilson. “There are two in Demorest – one in the park and one in front of the post office. The third one is located at Level Grove Elementary. We hope to establish more and are open to suggestions as to where they would be most needed and used. VFL is proud to be part of this wonderful ‘global movement.’”
O’Brien, the media specialist at Level Grove Elementary feels that the Little Free Libraries are a great way to make books easily available to our community. “On the day when the books were added to the Pitts Park Little Free Library, a mother and daughter walked right over to choose the first book,” she said. “It was beautiful to see them sitting on the park swing and reading Dr. Seuss’ Horton together. “
For more information on Little Free Libraries, visit littlefreelibrary.org. For more information on VFL visit vflhabersham.com or to contact us, email [email protected]. VFL is a proud agency of United Way of Habersham County.
