Little library now operational
Photo by Chanse Watson. Anna Inboden (right of the library) and Pinehurst Elementary students celebrate the opening of the new little library. Anna’s husband, Andrew Inboden, constructed the little library out of recycled materials.
Books in Pinehurst are now more accessible to kids and adults alike thanks to the new little library program.
Now operating at the basketball courts on N. Division Street, the little library (essentially a large mailbox stocked with books) allows anyone to take a book and keep it for as long as they like for free.
To keep a healthy supply in stock, the little library relies on a “take a book, leave a book” policy, trusting its users to be mindful of the next person who may want to use it.
The book dispensary will primarily be stocked with material for younger readers, but it will also offer a small selection of adult reading level books as well.
Community Library Network youth specialist Anna Inboden explained in her proposal to the Pinehurst city council that little libraries are popping up all over the place.
“The concept of ‘Little Libraries’ is becoming popular throughout the United States and internationally as small free-standing entities that are accessible to the community and maintained by a steward. Little Libraries encourage people to take new books home and leave books behind to share with their neighbors.”
Inboden says that other communities have experienced great success with these and that they have helped promote literacy, increase the love for reading, and build a greater sense of community.
“We are excited about this opportunity to expand our library services and bring literature into our local parks.”
For more information or to ask questions, contact Anna by email at annai@communitylibrary.net.