A new Little Free Library for Overton Park
Overton Park is home to a new Little Free Library thanks to Emma and Olivia Craig.
The small, enclosed bookshelf allows anyone to pick up a book or two and drop off another to share. The new library joins more than 25,000 registered Little Free Libraries in all 50 states and over 70 countries. Only three are currently registered in Birmingham, one in Highland Park, one in Homewood and one in Roebuck.
Originally designed to look like a one-room school or a “house of books,” the libraries have taken on a wide variety of sizes, shapes and themes since the movement began in Wisconsin in 2009. Many are in front yards, but Emma and Olivia thought it would get the most traffic at Overton Park since they often walk there to play and know there are a lot of kids there.
The girls had each come up with a family project this summer. Emma, 7, raised money to buy stuffed animals for kids at Children’s of Alabama, and Olivia, 4, wanted to start at Little Free Library. She had seen it advertised in the Disney Channel and since then her family had spotted them when travelling to Chattanooga and Fairhope
“I think it’s a great idea to share books you love and encourage reading,” said Amber Craig, the girls’ mom.
A family friend made the library from recycled materials, and the girls painted it red to match the Cam’s Corner fire truck at the station and resemble a schoolhouse.
After they decided on a location, Amber contacted Parks and Recreation Director Shanda Williams, who presented the idea to the park board using a video Emma and Olivia had made, and the board arranged for it the library be posted last Thursday.
Since then, the girls have been checking the library and have found new books in it each time. In each new book they imprint a stamp that says “Little Free Library, Overton Park” along with a Dr. Seuss quote so that future readers knew it was once there.
A sign on the library says it welcomes children’s and adult books. So far it’s mostly housed mostly children’s books, and so Williams suggested they look into creating an adult box in the future. The Craigs are currently working on getting their library registered on the Little Free Library website and reading new books they have found at the library. Emma enjoys Berenstain Bears and Junie B. Jones, while Olivia likes Pinkalicious and Sophia.
For more information on existing libraries or how to start your own, visit littlefreelibrary.org.