Little Free Library

This article about the Little Free Library located at Commodore Sloat Elementary School was written by members of Girl Scout Troop 6244, which created the outlet in May 2021.

I remember a time when I used to read books almost every day. I borrowed them from the library and finished them the very next day. All those times, I always wished I could just keep them forever. Well, now it's possible! Our neighborhood now has its own Little Free Library. A Little Free Library lets us get new books for free and give away any books we no longer want or need to other people.

The first Little Free Library was created in 2009 by Todd H. Bol, who built it as a tribute to his mother in Hudson, Wisconsin. It was so popular that he built more for his community and his idea quickly grew. Now, these little libraries have spread to 100 countries, with over 125,000 of them established worldwide.

In November 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Girl Scout Troop 62422 began work on our Junior Bronze Award. Having been in quarantine for many months, we missed our school, our classmates, and the books we used to easily borrow from our school and public libraries. Then we realized that while most of us owned lots of books, many of our peers no longer had access to any books at all. So, we decided to build a Little Free Library and fill it with books that we had outgrown along with a collection of new copies of our favorite books that we purchased with our troop cookie sale funds. Together the troop planned and then built our Little Free Library, opening it to the community in May of 2021. Troop 62422 has stewarded the library over the past year, ensuring it is kept tidy and well-stocked with books.

Anyone can use our Little Free Library, and it's a great way to get more books and give away children’s books that you don't need. It has all different kinds of books, varying from picture books to chapter books, fantasy to non-fiction. Keeping stock and variety has been challenging, though, because not enough people return books they take or leave new ones in their place. We always welcome donations of new and gently used children’s books for pre-k to 6th-grade level. We especially need books for older readers in 3rd-6th grades, like chapter books and graphic novels.

The Little Free Library is located at the entrance of Commodore Sloat Elementary School at 50 Darien Way. You can go there any time to get, return, or give a book. The library is here to help people expand their book access, and we think people should use it because it is a great way to help kids who don't have much book access. Reading at home with children is very important and helps them succeed in school. Our troop is proud of our Little Free Library, and we believe it adds a nice touch to our neighborhood with its cheery colors and pretty flowers. Our school needs it because it helps students be responsible and encourages them to be readers. We really hope that our Little Free Library will help inspire other people to read more, expand book access, and build community in the neighborhood. Remember, Take a Book, Share a Book!

If you would like more information about Little Free Library, please visit https://littlefreelibrary.org/. If you would like to contact Girl Scout Troop 62422 with questions or to arrange large book donations for our Little Free Library, please email our troop leader staceyfowler@sbcglobal.net