Marilynn Latta Knight considers herself a picky reader, but said she is willing to give every book a chance if it “strikes her fancy.”
On Monday, Knight, a fan of the mystery author Sue Grafton, rummaged in a corner of the Lourie Center where the Little Free Library stands, hoping to stumble upon the next edition of a Grafton novel.
The Lourie Center’s mini library is one of 37 sites in the Midlands for the Little Free Library, a place where avid readers can pick up a book or leave a book for free.
“I love it, I love it. I bring books there and I bring books home and read them,” she said.
Knight has a neighbor who is homebound so she also searches for books for her from the Little Free Library.
Todd Bol of Hudson, Wisconsin, created the concept of the Little Free Library as a tribute to his late mother, who also held a strong appreciation for books. After receiving feedback from his neighbors, Bol decided to expand his concept of the little libraries into a non-profit organization, now called Little Free Library. The goal of Bol’s idea is to build a network within the community that emphasizes the pleasure of reading.
There are many locations within the Midlands where people have expressed their love for reading by joining the Little Free Library in their communities.
Emily Dauber, a resident of the Elmwood neighborhood, is a frequent visitor of the Little Free Library located on Clark Street.
A Harry Potter fan, Dauber has picked up several volumes in the popular series. She enjoys walking through the neighborhood and seeing how the concept of the library encourages community.
“I like it because it is something fun, new and free and something we can take from and give back to,” said Dauber.
There are 75,000 little free libraries in the world, and organizers say there’s always room for expanding creativity and a love for reading by setting up a kiosks at a home near hok . For more questions about how to build a Little Free Library or seeing locations in nearby communities, visit LibraryFreeLibrary.org
Photos by Reema Vaidya
“Bring one, Take one” is the concept of bringing a personal touch with real people sharing their favorite books with their community.
Emily Dauber, a resident of the Elmwood neighborhood is a huge Harry Potter fan and picked up all four novels at the Little Free Library stand on Clark Street.
Little Free Libraries encourages reading and sharing favorite novels among communities. This reading nook on Clark Street in the Elmwood community is included in the 75,000 nooks that are in 85 countries around the world.
Marilynn Latta Knight also known as ‘Marzi,’ avid reader and fan of novels by Sue Grafton.
