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PAGE 2 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN January 2, 2020

BELLEVILLE - CANTON - WESTLAND

Read on

Little Free Libraries prove popular

with readers throughout community

Julie Brown Schmidt said in Plymouth the
Staff Writer Rotarians stocked the library initially and
were pleased to see it used so much.
When Dick Schmidt of Plymouth A later presentation on the Mariners
became a Rotarian, he wanted to serve Inn in Detroit at the Plymouth A.M.
his community both locally and world- Rotary prompted members to add a
wide. Detroit location at that nonprofit, which
Schmidt, a sales representative, found works to help homeless people and those
the Rotary Club of Plymouth A.M.'s work with addiction.
inspiring. A Rotary focus is literacy, so “One of our members checks it regular- Little Free Libraries are popular attractions throughout the entire
club members researched the Little Free ly to keep it clean and make sure the area, maintained by Rotary clubs, the YMCA and churches.
Library initiative. books are appropriate,” Schmidt said.
“Supporting reading was a natural for The CFCU staff helps as well.
us. The idea behind the Little Free The Mariners site in Detroit is also
Libraries is to put books close to residents well-used and popular.
and make it easy and free to get a book “We stocked this library with books.
and read.” Those books were taken quickly. We then
The book-sharing concept isn't new, refilled the library on a regular basis.
although the Little Free Library initiative That library now is seeing books being
has taken off. Neighbors, clubs, churches, added by neighbors in the area. We are
businesses and others have set up the pleased to see this library starting to be
small libraries with the idea of sharing self-sustaining.”
books for children, teens and adults. On Deer Street in Plymouth, Living
Plymouth A.M. Rotarians bought, deco- Peace Church members put a Little Free
rated and installed a Little Free Library Library on their church lawn some three
at the Community Financial Credit Union years ago.
on Harvey Street in Plymouth. Club mem- “When I read about free libraries I
ber Jeanne Knopf DeRoche, also of thought our church would be a perfect
Plymouth, noted the grant support from location. Our goal was to begin with books
the credit union. of peace and justice issues. It did start
The same concept - of an enclosed case that way but of course as books are
filled with books in a public area that swapped in and out that has changed. It
allows people to pick a book, read it and was a wonderful project where everyone
keep it or return it for someone else to in the church participated in some way or
enjoy - has been employed by other another,” said Becky Copenhaver of
groups and organizations. Living Peace Church. any new books we get. We wanted to The website www.littlefreelibrary.org
A local take on the national movement Copenhaver, a Canton Township resi- advance literacy in the community. We has background, including a map to locate
is in Romulus, where the city public dent, added, “One member crafted the are very proud of the boxes.” Little Free Library sites. It notes some
library partnered with the Rotary Club boxes - one for adults and one for chil- Both the Wayne-Westland Salvation aren't registered with the organization,
and artists to provide four “Read Boxes” dren. We all helped paint them and of Army on Venoy in Westland and nearby founded by the late Todd H. Bol over 10
of books in four city parks, said library course donating books to begin with. It Jefferson-Barns Community Vitality years ago and based in Hudson, WI.
Director Patty Braden. has been such a successful project as the Center also maintain outdoor Little Free The worldwide Little Free Library
Last May, the Belleville Rotary Club turnover of books is amazing and our Libraries which get regular use. The effort has garnered support by businesses
unveiled its first Little Free Library in upper floor is being stocked with books Norwayne Community Citizens Council as well as the American Library
Victory Park next to the gazebo. that I'll switch out depending on season or supports the Jefferson-Barns effort. Association.