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Mini library brings books for all

When Evonne Bue learned about Little Libraries, she was immediately enamored with the idea. An employee of the Robert Trail Library, she liked the idea of using her yard as gathering place where neighbors could share books.

After mulling it over with her husband, the couple decided it would be a family project they could all enjoy. Her husband built the box and Bue has two daughters who will help with the project in their own ways.

The idea behind the Little Free Library is anyone can take a book from the box and return a book. It’s that simple.

To get her library started, Bue bought a number of books during the Friends of the Robert Trail Library book sale. The family lives along 145th Street, so Bue said their street gets a lot of foot traffic. While she hopes people will contribute books, she hopes anyone who wants access to books will use the box.

“I want to use it to promote the availability of books,” said Bue.

Not everyone has access to books, Bue said. Bue learned that first hand this summer when travelling in Uganda. While there, Bue visited with a teenage girl she has been sponsoring through Hope 4 Kids. The girl said she did not have access to books outside of school.

That realization made Bue really want to set up a Little Free Library.

The Little Free Library program started in 2009. According to the non-profit’s website Todd Bol, of Hudson Wisc., built a model of a one room schoolhouse as a tribute to his mother, a former teacher who loved reading. He filled it with books and placed it in his front yard, with a sign stating its purpose.

Bol built several more and gave them away. From there the idea caught on. According to the website, by January 2014 there will be more than 10,000 registered Little Free Libraries worldwide.

Bue said she’s seen quite a few of them in Minneapolis and St. Paul but she believes hers is the first in Rosemount. Seeing how it’s taken off in other communities, Bue hopes maybe the same will happen in Rosemount. Since putting up the box, a couple of books have been taken.

Either way, Bue said at the very least it’s a nice family project.

Emily Zimmer
Emily Zimmer has worked as a staff writer for the Rosemount Town Pages since 2007. She has a degree in journalism from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Outside of work, Emily enjoys running, reading and gardening. You can follow Emily's gardening adventures at the Areavoices blog East of Weedin'
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