10 Little Free Libraries in Greenburgh-- a new one in Edgemont! Share, exchange a book near you. And read!
A LITTLE FREE LIBRARY JOINS 9 OTHERS IN GREENBURGH --NEW LITTLE FREE LIBRARY IN EDGEMONT ON LONGVIEW DRIVE
100,000 ALL OVER THE WORLD
For the Love of Free Little Libraries!
There are 100,000 and counting Little Free Libraries all over the world, and, by this map’s ( https://littlefreelibrary.org/ourmap/ ) count, now 10 just in the town of Greenburgh! Little Free Library is a movement, of the best and simplest kind, whereby tiny public book shelves open all over the place by anyone who cares to do it. 24/7 you can “take a book, leave a book” from these cute little cupboards. Here in Greenburgh, we’ve had Girl Scout Troops creating and filling them for their Bronze Medal projects; they’ve shown up alongside parks and in front of schools; they are built by groups, individuals and artists; and in one case, gifted to someone who dreams of becoming a librarian.
The latest addition is on the island of Longview Drive in the Edgemont neighborhood of Greenburgh, started by residents Jeanmarie Airo and her daughter. “My daughter and I are avid readers and unlike most people these days we enjoy reading physical books,” said Jeanmarie. “We have been taking advantage of many of the Little Free Libraries around the county and find it extremely useful. People get to share, exchange, and encourage reading and then donating their books. The idea is for book exchanges of all reading levels and ages. It gives a nice feeling of neighborhood bonding.”
According to the Little Free Library website, the first tiny library was created by 2009 by Todd Bol in Hudson, Wisconsin, when he built a model of a one-room schoolhouse as a tribute to his mother, a teacher who loved to read. He filled it with books and put it in his front yard to share; then made a few more to give away. Now Little Free Library is a 501c3 with a mission “to be a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Libraries.
Starting one is as easy as buying a model or building your own, registering for an official charter number online, filling it with new or used books and letting anyone have at it.
“These little libraries are such a great addition to any neighborhood. We’re so happy to have people like the Airos sharing their love of reading in such a sweet and generous way.
Find all the libraries near you here: https://littlefreelibrary.org/ourmap/ Thank you to those who are sponsoring Little Free Libraries in your neighborhoods.
Paul Feiner