As 6-year-old Ceceila Corro cut the yellow ribbon officially opening Easterly Park Elementary’s Little Free Library on Aug. 1, a smile broke across her face.
When she saw students lining up to borrow books from the outdoor library, her smile got wider.
“This makes my school even better,” she said. “This will help students who don’t want to use something electronic or something that uses power. Reading just uses brain power.”
The concept behind the “Little Free Library” is unique. Near the playground at Easterly Parkway Elementary, there’s a pavilion. Under that pavilion is a small blue and gold box with a glass door. Inside, there are approximately two dozen books. Books can be read on site or taken away. There are no fees, no library cards. Those using it are encouraged to “take a book, leave a book.”
The library is truly free.
As the sun broke through the clouds, Easterly Parkway Elementary principal Michael Maclay stood and watched the children enjoying the books.
“This is a great day because of the literacy initiatives that we’ve had here at Easterly Parkway for a long time,” he explained. “We’ve encouraged kids to read, we’ve encouraged students to become more involved with their reading. This provides us with a centerpiece.”
The Little Free Library was the community service project for Courtney Beers’ kindergarten class. The free library was designed to promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges and to build a sense of community as the books share skills, creativity and wisdom across generations.
“When I saw it, I knew it would be something perfect since our school emphasizes reading so much,” Beers said. “I thought it would be something they’d enjoy and I thought it was age appropriate for kindergarten as well.”
She ran the idea past her class, and they fell in love with the idea of a Little Free Library.
“I showed the Little Free Library website with all of the pictures on it and explained to them what it was — that anybody in the community could come and take a book without a library card. They just loved it,” Beers said.
Beers took the idea to Maclay, who had no problem signing off on the project.
“This is a great testament to Ms. Beers’ kindergarten class from last year. Their service project was very successful, as you can see. Her students will be able to see this for the next five years while they’re here at Easterly Parkway,” Maclay said.
Once the project was given the green light, the students took charge.
“The kids designed the library. They painted it, they made signs to collect books in a book drive so we’d have books for it. Then, they put tags on each of the books … in case the books ever get to another Little Free Library, they’ll know where it came from,” Beers said.
If there was any doubt that the Little Free Library would be used, those doubts were erased immediately. Students who attended the dedication began perusing the book selection just moments after Corro cut the ribbon.
Beers was happy to see so many families taking advantage of her kindergarten class project.
“I think it just shows what a family atmosphere we have at Easterly Parkway,” Beers said. “Everybody supports one another. It doesn’t just feel like a school where we come every day and go through our routine. It feels like an actual family. I think we all feel that way.”
According to Beers, students who want to use the Little Free Library don’t have to attend Easterly Parkway. In fact, the Little Free Library is open to all.
“The motto is ‘take a book, give a book,’” Beers explained. “If you bring back the same book, that’s great. If you bring back a book you’re not using anymore that didn’t come from the Little Free Library, that’s great. We’re hoping that people will bring them to the library or front office so we can put our special tags on them.”
There were about 50 people at the dedication. Maclay was thrilled with the turnout on a gorgeous summer day.
“I think this says an awful lot about our community,” he said. “Here it is Aug. 1 and we’ve got quite a few people who came out to see the dedication of the library. I think it’s great.”
