The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON-Perhaps you have noticed the Free Little Libraries located at Steve's Grocery and the Dayton Historic Depot. There is another one in Starbuck, which is soon to be relocated to the Starbuck Post Office. And two more are being planned for other locations in Dayton.

You may have wondered how to use them and who is behind them.

The concept is for people to borrow, or take, a book and replace it with one they have already read or are willing to share.

According to Pam Russel, the idea for the Free Little Libraries came from articles read by the Friends of the Library, and, in particular, a book titled "Free Little Libraries and Tiny Sheds."

She said it all started two and a half years ago with the planning and building stage. Her husband, Roy volunteered to build the houses for the books and Sandy Dare's husband, Chuck, volunteered to weld the bases for them to be placed on.

The husbands provided the labor, but the Friends of the Library paid for the materials. Several of the group painted and embellished the houses with decorations.

"Once we started talking about them, the group came up with lots of possible places to check out for placing them," Russel said.

Claudia Nysoe said members who belong to the Friends of the Library visit the Free Little Libraries often to make sure there are plenty of books from which to choose.

One day, she pulled up to the Free Little Library at Steve's Grocery and saw two little boys sitting on the fence on either side of the book box.

"I started stocking the Library and they were full of questions. Is this your box? Who does it belong to?"

She explained the concept of borrowing a book, sharing a book, or taking a book.

They asked, "Do you mean it isn't stealing?"

Nysoe said she was pleased to offer them another opportunity to increase their enjoyment of reading.

"I walked away so proud and gratified," she said.

Nysoe said the staff at St. Vincent DePaul has been adding to the inventory of children's books at the Free Little Library, located at the Dayton Historic Depot. That Library gets lots of traffic, as well.

Pearl Dennis, President of the Dayton Friends of the Library said the timing for having the little libraries was perfect.

"Friends of the Library was able to provide choices of reading materials to our community when that activity was otherwise restricted," Dennis said.

Waitsburg, you have a Free Little Library, too. It is conveniently located outside the Weller Library on Main Street.