Little libraries foster love of reading




STOCKING THE LIBRARY—Brittany Groot, owner of Rose Family Funeral Home & Cremation, restocks one of two free little book stands she’s set up on the property. KRISTA ABRAHAMSEN/Acorn Newspapers

STOCKING THE LIBRARY—Brittany Groot, owner of Rose Family Funeral Home & Cremation, restocks one of two free little book stands she’s set up on the property. KRISTA ABRAHAMSEN/Acorn Newspapers

Never underestimate the joy that books can bring to a community.

Reading enthusiasts from the Friends of the Simi Valley Library are on a quest to promote literacy and camaraderie through a book-sharing movement.

Called Little Free Library, the idea is to inspire a love of reading through neighborhood library stands. Readers of all ages can walk up to the stands to borrow or swap books.

Julia Hammon, board member of Friends and one of the project’s organizers, said she became aware of “the magic of little libraries” when she was visiting her granddaughter in Pennsylvania and they stumbled across one such stand while taking a walk.

“We were so happy,” she said. “We’d always go by, and every time there were new books in it.”

Hammon said becoming a little-library steward is fun and simple. All you need is an outdoor place on your property on which to place a stand.

Friends of the Library board members provide $10 to purchase books and, if needed, a library box for the books. Hardcover books cost $ 1 each and softcover items are 50 cents each.

 

 

H ammo n said the project has the potential to bring people together, not only to borrow and trade books of all kinds, but also to spend time together and promote other community projects.

“These little neighborhood libraries can be a real change. A lot of the stewards of the library may plan a little event around them or have a canned-food drive. They can be a wonderful thing for everyone,” she said.

The book movement has taken root in Simi, where four Little Library locations have already been built. Two of the libraries are located at Rose Family Funeral Home & Cremation in Simi Valley.

Owner Brittany Groot said her company decided to put up the stands to make the funeral home more welcoming and offer a positive resource for people who are grieving.

“The books are such a great thing,” said Groot, who tries to keep the two little libraries on her property stocked with books about grieving and healing for both children and adults.

But the books can be helpful to anyone, she said.

“We want people to come here even when they have not experienced a loss,”

Groot said.

To help keep the stands stocked, the Simi Public Library donates books to the funeral home every month.

The Friends of the Library board hopes residents, community groups and businesses will join the movement to build as many little libraries as possible in Simi Valley.

“We don’t just want little kids (to visit); we want teenagers and adults to come. (The project) welcomes everyone,” Hammon said. “It’s hard to get to know neighbors sometimes. What a great way to draw them together.”

For anyone interested in being a steward, or for more information, contact the Friends of the Library group at SVFOL2016@gmail.com.