Neal Kelly and Michelle Miller at the Little Library near the Great Falls Creamery. Photo contributed
Great Falls has joined the Little Free Library movement with two libraries built and installed by Scouts from Great Falls Scout Troop 673 on Saturday, June 24. The Friends of the Great Falls Library had been discussing the purchase of some of the libraries for the community in the spring of 2016 at the same time that Neal Kelly was looking for an Eagle Project. Neal offered to build two for placement in Great Falls with the Friends paying for raw materials. Friends President Michelle Miller and Neal worked together to find locations particularly accessible to walkers. Neal made a presentation to Mike Kearney of Celebrate Great Falls and the Old Brogue who agreed that one library could be installed near the benches outside the Great Falls Creamery. The other, built and painted to reflect the architecture of the nearby office condominiums, was installed near the picnic table at Leigh Corners. Miller noted that residents and visitors from the nearby Brightview Retirement home often walk along the sidewalk past the small picnic area.
The first Little Free Library was a model of a one room schoolhouse built by Todd Bol of Hudson, Wis. in 2009 in honor of his mother, a teacher who loved to read. Bol filled it with books and put it on a post in his front yard. His friends and neighbors enjoyed it so much, he built several more and gave them away. As of November 2016, there are more than 50,000 little libraries in a variety of shapes and sizes worldwide. Regionally, there is one little library in Cascades, several in Arlington, underwritten by the Friends of the Arlington Public Library and 25 or more in Washington DC.
Troop 673 Scouts Greg Roszyk Jr., Matt Stephens, Charlie Clyne, Jackson Sayers, Thor Kurzenhauser, Mitch and Cameron Williams and Gabe Collins worked with Neal painting, assembling and installing the two libraries. The Friends and Scouts appreciated the guidance of Scout Dads Greg Roszyk Sr., Greg Stephens and Richard Kelly. They particularly appreciated the use of Mr. Roszyk’s woodshop.
Anyone may take or return a book at either location. The Friends encourage readers to take books even if they have none to return and anyone is welcome to donate at any time. The two libraries will be registered and their Charter plaques attached at a grand opening later in the summer.
More information may be found at the website for Littlefreelibrary.org.