DECATUR -- A new twist on the traditional summer reading program is making its way to communities across the United States. It is called "Little Free Library." Now Decatur has one of these libraries in a box.
The little free library began in Hudson, Wis., in 2009, when Todd Bol built a model of an old school house to honor his mother who was a long-time teacher and advocate for reading in the United States.
Bol filled his creation with books and put it up near his home. He put a sign on the box that read: "Little Free Library, take a book, leave a book." It became an instant success.
The first official unit outside of Hudson went into use in 2010. It was placed along a bike path near the Absolutely Art Gallery in Madison, Wis. It was a success as well. Soon more and more of these Little Free Library units began to adorn street corners and parks across the country.
It is a simple concept. The Little Free Library is "a box full of books where anyone may stop by and pick up a book and bring back another book to share," according to littlefreelibrary.org. Local groups construct these doll-house-size libraries and fill them with books for children and adults.
Jessi Castagna, Decatur High School librarian, discovered the concept and brought it to Decatur. Students in the Agriculture class at the high school built one of these units and put it up between the band building and the middle school.
A group called Champions for Kids, located in Fayetteville, ran a book drive and collected more then enough books to fill the unit.
The Little Free Library is now open to the public. To get to the unit, simply walk between the front of the middle school and basketball court. Once at the side entrance of the middle school, follow the sidewalk toward the bus barn and look to the left.
The Little Free Library is looking for donations of children's books. Visit the Decatur High School Library Facebook page for more information.
General News on 07/01/2015