Community Corner

Little Free Libraries Will Allow Residents To Share Books In a New Way

The now international program adopted by the CH-UH Public Library encourages residents to take and leave books — no circulation required.

We're all familiar with the "take a penny, leave a penny" concept.

The Cleveland Heights-University Heights is hoping to expand on that idea in a big way.

Over the next few months, the library will install three "Little Free Libraries" where people can share books on the honor system. The rules are simple — if you take a book, donate one to share, or come back and return it, or both.

Find out what's happening in Cleveland Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The books will be stored in a mini house-like structures, created by Silsby Stained Glass and Woodworking. The Cleveland Heights business constructed the approximately 3' by 3' boxes free of charge and used wood, roof tiles and leaded glass.

The hope is that the program promotes reading, literacy and community engagement.

Find out what's happening in Cleveland Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sam Lapides, Heights Libraries Special Projects Coordinator, brought one of the Little Free Libraries to the regular Cleveland Heights City Council meeting July 2 to show people what they look like.

Council approved an ordinance allowing the library to place the boxes on tree lawns (and other public places) as long as the homeowner and neighbors agree.

The first location is set — a former children's librarian who lives near the offered her tree lawn for the first location.

"She’ll work with Constance Dickerson, branch manager at Noble, to keep the box well stocked with gently used children’s and adult books that have been donated or weeded from our collection," Lapides said in a press release about the program.

But the library has not determined where the other two will go.

Lapides said each Little Free Library could have a theme depending on the neighborhood its in or the time of year.

"We can create programming tie-ins. We can involve the community in new ways," he said.

According to a press release about the program, there are at least five Little Free Libraries in Ohio. The now international program started in Wisconsin and has expanded to at least eight countries and more than 20 states, according to council documents and a map on the Little Free Libraries website.

“Little Free Libraries are a great way to get people excited about books and talking about them at the neighborhood level,” Lapides said. “The people who live in Cleveland Heights and University Heights are passionate about reading and literacy, and also passionate about their neighborhoods, so this project fits in to our community perfectly.”

Look for updates once the Little Free Libraries are installed.

Will you participate in the Little Free Library program? Tell us in the comments.

Follow Cleveland Heights Patch on Facebook and Twitter, and sign up for our daily newsletter.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Cleveland Heights