BEST BOOKS: “When I buy books, they become my friends. But if I don’t read them again, the Little Free Library is a wonderful way to share and pass them on.” Laura R. Jacobus is shown by the Little Free Library she installed by her home on Edgehill Road.

In case you haven’t heard, in addition to Princeton University’s Firestone Library and our own outstanding public library, Princeton is now home to the Little Free Library (LFL) movement.

A series of mail box-sized structures, placed in front of the homeowner’s property near the street, can be seen around town. They are filled with books for passersby to borrow, take home, return, or pass on to other readers, if they wish. 

The idea to “take a book, leave a book” originated in Wisconsin in 2009, when Todd Bol built a small wooden replica of a school house, mounted it on a post in his front yard, and filled it with books. It was a memorial to his late mother, a school teacher and book lover.

Mr. Bol built several more, and gave them to friends. Each had a sign, saying “Free Books.” His idea struck a chord, and people were soon sharing books as well as meeting new neighbors in the process. It became so popular that he formed a partnership with Rick Brooks to determine the future of the project.

Every State

They were inspired by Andrew Carnegie, who established 2,509 free libraries around the turn of the 19th century, and they hoped to exceed that number. As popularity continued to grow, LFL attracted national publicity, and by the end of 2011, there were 400 LFLs across the U.S. The next year, it was established as a Wisconsin non-profit corporation.

That one small structure that Mr. Bol built in 2009 has led to many thousands more! By January of 2016, the total number of LFLs worldwide was more than 40,000. They are located in every state of the U.S. and in 70 different countries.

People have learned about LFLs in various ways; sometimes word-of-mouth, sometimes by seeing what they thought was an interesting looking mailbox, only to discover the structure was filled with books.

Princeton resident Laura R. Jacobus first noticed one in Connecticut as she was driving to Maine. “I also saw one on Prospect Street in Princeton, and got interested in it,” she recalls. “I googled it, found the website, and it seemed like a neat idea. When I first found out about it, it reminded me in a way of Scout and Jem finding the ‘little surprises’ Boo Radley left them in To Kill A Mockingbird.”

In the three years since Ms. Jacobus installed her LFL at her home, “The Barracks”, on Edgehill Road, many passersby have
enjoyed sharing her books and their own. She has also met a number of the book lovers who stop by, and feels she is making new friends.

“It’s a nice way to meet people and make a friend. I remember one of the first people to stop by had a red backpack, and then a lot more people have asked about it. I’m planning to set up another too, either next to the one on my property or at a friend’s house. The new one will focus on children‘s books.”

Marquand Park

Children’s books are also emphasized at the large LFL that was recently constructed at Marquand Park, Princeton’s 17-acre registered arboretum. The brainchild of Bob Wells, president of the Marquand Park Foundation Board and founder of Wells Tree and Landscape, this LFL is unique in that it was constructed upon and partially within the massive stump of a very special cucumber magnolia tree (magnolia acuminta).

“It was an historic tree — there is a picture of the Princeton University baseball team from the 1890s with it,” explains Mr. Wells. “I kept looking at it and thought this is a neat thing. We could build a Little Free Library here. Other old tree stumps had been carved into various kinds of art work.

“I first encountered a Little Free Library at the Outer Banks last year on vacation, and was immediately taken with the concept. I thought it would be a great way to repurpose the old hollow cucumber stump. I always felt that the seams and curves of the stump had a certain charm to them.

“One of the central features and attractions of Marquand Park is the giant sandbox and playground,” continues Mr. Wells, who is an associate director at the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where he teaches and consults about arboriculture and urban forestry.

“The park is constantly in use and is a great asset to the community as a safe and restful place to bring your children. My thought was that a Little Free Library filled with children’s books would be a great addition and offer just the right touch of magic for Marquand.

“We got permission from the Parks and Recreation Department to transform the stump into the Little Free Library, and I brought the idea to the Marquand Park Foundation Board,
asking for their support and got an enthusiastic ‘Yes.’ I then reached out to Guillaume (Gui) Nelessen, a gifted cabinet maker, who built it for us.”

Unusual History

The Marquand Park LFL is set apart not only by its unusual history but by its size. Substantially larger than the typical LFL, it is six feet tall, and can hold more than 300 books as well as one or two small children.

“Gui designed it to fit partially into the hollow stump with an overhanging roof to keep it dry,” explains Mr. Wells. “Built of red cedar, the masterful design and execution are his, and it is both functional and beautiful. Since its construction, it has been very busy. What is really neat is that in warm weather, many mothers will take the time to read to their children in the park and not even take a book home.”

In addition, a number of pint-sized readers have been seen sitting inside the structure, enjoying a new-found book in this very special reading nook.

Mr. Wells registered the LFL on-line and became the steward of the library. As such, he stops in every other day to check on the contents and restock it, if needed.

Books for all ages fill the LFL at 256 Snowden Lane. Established by Alexandra Bar-Cohen a year ago, it has attracted a lot of interest, says Ms. Bar-Cohen, who first saw a LFL in New Orleans.

“It was 10 years after Katrina, and I was there with the Jewish Center helping in the Lower Ninth Ward. Despite all the destruction and damage there, someone had put up a Little Free Library. It showed the significance of books in people’s lives even in the poorest section of New Orleans.

“I love reading,” she continues. “I have a background in literature, and always had a secret desire to be a librarian. My kids are voracious readers, and I also love the community aspect of the Little Free Library.”

Two Shelves

Ms. Bar-Cohen consulted the LFL website and placed an order to become registered. A local carpenter handled the assembly and construction.

“What was especially important was that I wanted two shelves, so we could have a substantial number of books (it easily holds 40), including children’s books. I have been so pleased with the community involvement, and all ages seem to be enjoying it. I keep an eye on how it’s doing, and restock it, if necessary. So far, it’s doing very well, with people taking one and leaving one. It makes me smile when I come into the driveway and see people using it.”

Other Princeton LFLs include structures on Leabrook Lane, Prospect Street, Dempsey Avenue, as well as at Morven, with more in the works.

The public library supports the LFL concept, and donated the first batch of books to Marquand Park, notes Kim Dorman, the library’s community engagement representative. “For us, the Little Free Library is an additional way of spreading information and instilling the joy of reading. We are delighted to encourage such a program.”

In addition to those in Princeton, many LFLs can be found elsewhere in New Jersey, including in Skillman. Jim Corio set up a structure three months ago outside his home on Hollow Road.

“I was on my way to pick up my grandson, and saw this little library near Flemington,” he reports. “I thought it really seemed like a nice idea, and it would be fun to build one. I checked it out on the internet, found the information about registering for one, and decided to do it, and build it myself.

Successful Movement

“I’m a carpenter, and I got the wood from Home Depot, followed the plans, and put it together. I think it is a wonderful way to share books. People are stopping by, including those riding their bikes. Even with the internet and Kindles, people still like to hold a book in their hands. I’m thinking of adding some magazines and other publications, too. It was fun to build it, and I really like seeing people enjoying it. It’s nice for the community.”

While LFL has been an extraordinarily successful movement, it has occasionally and surprisingly met opposition from individuals and municipalities because of the interpretation of various local regulations. Areas in Wisconsin, Kansas, and Louisiana have raised objections. In most cases, however, they have been overturned, common sense has prevailed, and the Little Free Libraries have been able to function effectively.

Princeton residents have enthusiastically embraced the concept, pointing out a number of benefits. Said a history buff, “Although the circumstances are different, it reminds me of the Victory Book Campaign I read about during World War II, when libraries, publishers, and individuals all came together to send millions and millions of free small paperbacks to Americans serving in the military overseas. It was a hugely successful operation.”

A Snowden Lane resident pointed out the opportunity to meet new neighbors. “Through the Little Free Library in my neighborhood, I met people I had never even known were here. In addition to the pleasure of finding new books, I found new neighbors!”

Perhaps if you take a walk through your own neighborhood, you will discover a Little Free Library — something unexpected, similar to those “little surprises” found in To Kill A Mockingbird.

For further information, consult www.littlefreelibrary.org.