SUNDRE – Hungry book worms now have a new opportunity to satisfy their literary appetite.
Karen Mandel, River Valley School’s librarian of going on four years, beamed with enthusiasm as she proudly unveiled recently the new little free library in front of the school’s main doors.
Essentially a small, post-mounted cabinet in the shape of a house with an unlocked but latched door to prevent it from swinging open in the wind while also providing the contents a level of protection from the elements, the little library was the result of a cumulative effort spearheaded by the school librarian. The project’s cost was covered courtesy of funding generated by the annual book fair.
“A portion of the proceeds goes back into the school,” Mandel told the Albertan on May 2 during a phone interview, adding she had previously started a fund for special projects.
“And this is one that I thought would be really advantageous for the community,” she said. “So, that’s where we decided to put some of the proceeds that we received from the community’s generous contributions at the book fair.”
The idea had been floating around her head over the past year, and she had early on begun some preliminary leg work in terms of sourcing and seeing where the library could be purchased, as well as how similar initiatives have fared in other communities, she said.
“I’d seen them pop up in different areas,” she said, citing Olds among some examples.
That research ultimately led to the conclusion the little library would be a good addition to the school and even the town generally speaking, she said.
“I hadn’t seen anything here and I thought it would be something really cool to bring to the community,” she said.
“It helps tie in with all our literacy goals. We want to get the kids reading, get those books in people’s hands, and love that we’re able to put it out where the community can access it as well.”
Although located on school grounds, the camera-monitored little library is available 24-7 not just to students but also anyone and everyone in the community, she said.
“You can either take a book, you could take a book and leave a book, or you can leave a book,” she said. “It’s a pretty open system and it’s for everyone in the community.”
Installed on April 26 once the ground was finally soft enough to embed the post, the little library is officially open for everyone.
“It is a community box, so everyone has access to it,” she said.
Asked what conditions might be in place regarding the variety of content that people who are inclined to leave a book behind should be mindful of, she said items should be age appropriate as well as family friendly, and entrusted people to exercise good judgment.
“It’s for everyone, so keep that in mind,” she said.
Although speaking with the Albertan barely a week after the library opened, Mandel said feedback so far had been very positive.
“The staff and kids were very excited about it,” she said, adding encouraging responses were also being shared on social media.
“There seemed to be quite a few good comments and people pretty excited about the project,” she said. “So, that was nice to see.”
As for herself, seeing the project come to fruition was a rewarding experience.
“I’m extremely excited for the kids and the opportunity to get those books in those hands, and just to see everything come together,” she said.
Regarding what might be next on the special project docket, Mandel said she’d not yet had a chance to give it some thought and plans to eventually brainstorm some ideas.
“One step at a time!” she said, with a laugh.
