It all began with a antique window in front of a local shop. It had been painted yellow, the glass was loose and all of the hinges and latches were gone. My old friend Betty would have approved...she would tell me it was just broken enough and damaged enough for me to drag it home.
When my dear husband saw it, he wondered what he was meant to do with it. Imagine his surprise when he was presented with the plan to build a small neighborhood library exchange. It wasn't the first time he had heard me ask "How hard could it be?"
Now it is six weeks later and we mounted the darling little library exchange on two posts in our front yard. I love it.
Now the question is, will they come or has the time passed when people actually read something made of paper? Our association president stopped by and admired the box but left after telling me that he only read books on his Kindle.
We will see.
Would you bring a book and take a book?
b+
When my dear husband saw it, he wondered what he was meant to do with it. Imagine his surprise when he was presented with the plan to build a small neighborhood library exchange. It wasn't the first time he had heard me ask "How hard could it be?"Now it is six weeks later and we mounted the darling little library exchange on two posts in our front yard. I love it.
Now the question is, will they come or has the time passed when people actually read something made of paper? Our association president stopped by and admired the box but left after telling me that he only read books on his Kindle.
We will see.
Would you bring a book and take a book?
b+
I love it!!! Next time I'm up, I'll exchange and maybe throw in a poem to boot!Great Job!!!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh...I would love that...a poetry exchange is even better. People are stopping to look constantly and I am reading what they bring.
DeleteWe only read paper books...Like the feel of them...We have a boxcar full of books at our personal library here at Solivita :>)
ReplyDeleteYou are a very lucky person. We gave a pickup load to our local library when we moved into our current house. Now I go and visit them there )
DeleteWe have a little free library in front of our house, and it's visited every day. We put it up in Spring. I sent out an email to all of our neighbors and also sent a note on our city neighborhood list serve. One thing I did (on the advice of another little library owner) was include a guest book (and pen) and people leave notes for us. I check the library every other day and try to move the books around. I find the ones that go the fastest are the little kid books (we're next to a tot lot), so I buy them at the thrift store when I can. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteGood idea...I will put the guest book out. Thank you for the tip.
DeleteWe live in a 55+ neighborhood but grandmas need reading for visiting children I think!
It's lovely and yes I still read paper books....In fact I can't stand the idea of reading on a tablet or phone. I hope you get lots of book traffic.
ReplyDeleteMe too. But the most beautiful thing about this whole process is the social connections I am making with my neighbors. Books are always in style. I may even figure out how to share my Kindle books with others. Who knows?
DeleteI really do love my wife's ideas even if I give her the impression that I grouse about them like I don't really want to do them. She is always thinking of ways to connect with people. Must be her elementary teacher thing and she was a good one too. Will be looking forward to her next project whether it is in Oregon or Arizona. Besides she says, "It keeps you off the streets and out of trouble."
ReplyDeleteThis is one very smart man...and he does know the right thing to say. That must be why I love him. :)
DeleteThis is becoming a 'thing' in our neighborhood, too. I love the idea! Now I wish we hadn't donated so many books when we moved. We could have a small book store. ;)
ReplyDeleteb
I have actually thought about opening my cupboard with all the books we kept. We will have a Cocktail Hour Party next week and invite the neighborhood into our home. It will be our grand opening!
DeleteWe have passed, and paused at, a number of little libraries in our travels. Most of them ask that you exchange, i.e. also leave a book. We don't carry a book with us when we walk, so have not actually used one of the libraries.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be fun to tuck a small paperback in your pocket with a note about where you are from? Leave it behind and take another small one with you. I like that idea a lot!
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