Free to Read
Books come and go on the wind.
“Many times things are empty or nearly empty,” said Karen Pierce, Slippery Rock Community Library director. “Or if there's books in there, I know they're books I didn't put in there.”
The 4-foot-wide small red barn with a Plexiglas front, located along the stone wall on Main Street in front of North Country Brewing Co., opened for books in 2017.
Take-one, leave-one little libraries dot Butler County, reaching areas that otherwise might not have access to a library and its services.
“It's a matter of being able to borrow or leave a book that you'd think would be great for others to read. Share something that you've read with a stranger,” Pierce said. “I don't know if you can have too many libraries.”
Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that aims to inspire a love of reading, build community and spark creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world.
In 2019, the nonprofit celebrates 10 years of Little Free Libraries. As of early 2019, there are more than 80,000 registered Little Free Libraries in all 50 states and more than 90 countries.
Slippery Rock's tiny library is stocked with adult fiction, nonfiction and books for children, including quizlets and trivia books. Bookmarks that feature information about the three sponsors are also available for visitors who want to take a piece of the town with them.
“I hope it gives people that visit the opportunity to recognize Slippery Rock is a fun little town,” Pierce said. “It's fun to note that you are part of a community effort that is always looking to better our community.”
The Prospect Area Library is setting up a Little Free Library for the first time.
The Butler Eagle donated two old newspaper vending machines to the library in March, said Jill Hambley, library director. A patron outfitted the machines with a roof, shelves and a coat of primer to prepare them for paint.
At the town's Community Day and Memorial Day parade, community members, a majority of them children, each painted a square that was sectioned off with masking tape, she said.
Designs range from colorful suns, rainbows and fireworks to color blocks and Memorial Day-related images and books.In front of the machine where an advertisement sign was placed, a new sign will label it the Prospect community library and thank the businesses for the space.Inside the miniature house-shaped libraries will be a mix of materials any visitor will enjoy reading.Although it will be several weeks before they are installed with the help of the Portersville-Prospect Rotary, one location is planned for Shmily's, 1136 New Castle Road in Prospect, and a second in Portersville.Butler Area Public Library is no stranger to the mini-structures. It sponsors several Little Free Libraries throughout the community, which are located on private residences and businesses. The project started in 2016, said Tiffany Harkleroad, youth services librarian.Each little library, a structure about two feet wide on a wooden post, is unique.Two locations are at Pennie's Bake Shop and Espresso Bar, 800 W. New Castle St., and at Clear Choice Enterprises, 723 E. Brady St. The library located at the bakeshop is decorated with different baked goods.One event that highlights the little libraries is a traveling story time where a librarian will visit some of the locations for a reading, she said.For people who cannot make it to the library, the little library is an opportunity, Harkleroad said.Anyone can use them, she said. People can also donate used books in good condition to share with the community.“It puts free books out there in the community and more books in the hands of kids,” Harkleroad said.The structure that housed the Slippery Rock Community Library was a small space, Pierce said.“Because it was so small, it was claustrophobic,” she said. “We just didn't have a lot of books and there wasn't a lot of services available.At the library's new location — which offers more space, books and services — the little library is an additional help.“They may not want to go to the library and borrow a book to return, whereas with the Little Free Library, you don't have to return it,” she said. “For people coming out of town who may not be able to get a book back in two weeks, it's a valuable alternative to checking a book out in the traditional sense.”The little libraries can reach the outer bounds of the Prospect-located library, which services Prospect Borough, Franklin Township and the Muddycreek and Portersville areas, to alert residents to the library's existence and its services while providing community support through a gently used book, Hambley said.“I hope it provides a chance for people to keep up with how important books are, with reading in general and how important it is to read to children,” she said.
There are several Little Free Libraries in Butler County:Peter Bess: 512 W. Brady St. This is Butler Area Public Library's first “Little Free Library.”HIS Kids Christian School: 650 Saxonburg RoadBrandi Maser: 228 Constitution Ave., Connoquenessing, GSWPA Girl Scout Troop 28843 built the Little Free LibraryStella's Book Nook: 154 W. Main St., Evans CityGrumpy's Pizza: 204 E. Main St., Worthington, Armstrong CountyLittle Free Library: 141 S Main St., Slippery RockLittle Free Library: 432 Harkins Mill Road, ZelienopleLittle Free Library: 233 S. Division St., ZelienopleSandy Ferrainola: 317 German St., HarmonyCaitlyn Boland: 698 Valencia Road, North Garfield Avenue, Clay Avenue and 504 Pittsburgh St., Mars, built and installed by Mars Boy Scout Troop 400Beth Zboran: Monroe Road at Kepple Road, SarverDenise Kissell: 152 Woodbury Drive, SarverTeresa Firek: 832 Plain Grove Road Pavilion at the ballpark, VolantSOURCE: Little Free Library
