In 2009 a Wisconsin man built a model of a one-room schoolhouse as a tribute to his mother, a former school teacher who loved reading. He filled it with books, added a sign saying “free books” and placed it in his front yard. He went on to build several more and give them away. With the help of others, his small personal project grew into the Little Free Library movement.
There are now over 30,000 Little Free Library book exchanges around the world operating under the concept of “take a book, leave a book.”
“I worked for many years in the Dunbar Library at Wright State and have always been a big reader and book lover,” said Cheryl Lauricella, the woman behind the Alpha project.
“I had heard about Little Free Libraries and seen a few in Yellow Springs. I decided … that I wanted to establish a Little Free Library in my hometown of Alpha,” she said.
She took her idea to the Alpha Landmark Preservation and Homeowner’s Association (A.L.P.H.A.). “ With their help we obtained the official charter from the Little Free Library organization and also received permission from the Beavercreek City Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture to locate the library near the bike path that runs through Alpha,” she said. “Alpha already had a little park bench and tree there, and it has turned out to be an ideal location.”
While it is not a function of the parks department, the little library is something that the department supports, said Kim Farrell, the parks department superintendent.
“The Little Library is just off the bike path, so it’s very convenient to take a break on the bench under the shade tree and do some light reading. Many communities have started one and have really enjoyed it,” Farrell said, noting that it includes books for both adults and children.
While Cheryl Lauricella was taking care of the administrative details of getting it established, her husband, Chuck Lauricella, was building the little library, a replica of the nearby Alpha Museum.
“Our family has lived in Alpha since 1984. It is very gratifying to be able to do something good for our neighbors and friends here and for the larger community by being a steward of this little library. It’s also kind of exciting to be part of a worldwide network of Little Free Libraries,” she said. “It’s become not just my project, but now I feel this library belongs to everyone.”
Patrons of the little library include the Lewis family, which lives across the street from it.
“I think it is awesome,” said Ami Lewis, who visits the library often with her husband, Edward, and their children Elijah, 6, and Olivia, 4.
More information on the worldwide movement is available online at www.littlefreelibrary.org.
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