FAIRVIEW, Ala. – Fairview’s Randall Shedd Community Park will soon be home to a Little Free Library after resident Stephanie Sprouse presented the idea at the last Fairview Town Council meeting.
“We enjoy visiting Fairview park and the Little Free Library is an opportunity for each child who comes to the playground to leave with a book,” Sprouse said.
The council approved the location at the park near the veterans pavilion.
Sprouse said the idea for the Little Free Library came from her job at a local used bookstore in Cullman.
“Books are discarded weekly. I have been filling up many free libraries around Cullman with these discards, but wanted a sharing box closer to our home and community in Fairview,” she said. “The Little Free Library book-sharing boxes are open 24/7 and are freely accessible to all. A Little Free Library is a free book-sharing box where anyone may take a book or share a book. These boxes function on the honor system. You do not need to share a book in order to take one. If you take a book or two from a little library, try to bring some to share to that same library, or another in your area, when you can.”
She said the way to keep these sharing boxes going for years to come is by donating good condition books for others to enjoy.
“Each LFL will have a charter sign and number,” Sprouse said. “If you notice a box is damaged you can log into the LFL app and contact the steward of the box to notify them of any needed repairs. Some little libraries will have a guest book to sign. Your words to a local volunteer steward can encourage them to continue their service to the community.”
Sprouse said she previously enjoyed taking her children to Little Free Libraries around Florida when she lived there during Covid because many libraries were closed.
“The free little libraries remained a place where we could borrow and share books,” she said. “I approached our HOA board in our Florida neighborhood and presented the idea of positioning a library sharing box, by our pavilion. The idea was approved, but funds weren’t available. I raised funds by selling baked goods to the neighborhood. Neighbors placed their orders on Facebook and I delivered. When the funds were raised, I hired a local carpenter to build the box. Our family and neighbors filled the box with books from our homes. When we moved, a neighbor volunteered to take our place as the steward of the library.”
Little Free Libraries aren’t free to build. Fundraising has begun for purchasing the kit and materials. All Little Free Libraries are high-quality, Amish-crafted boxes that should last for years in any environment.
“Total cost for Composite Little Free Library kit, post, shipping and installation is $600,” Sprouse said. “If you would like to support, donations can be made to Venmo to @Stephanie-Sprouse-6 or PayPal @stephcreatingbeauty. You can also support the building of this LFL by purchasing Creating Beauty arts and crafts.”
All proceeds from Sprouse’s September sales will go toward this project. You can purchase items at Branch Bookstore (bookmarks $3-$7) and Haynes Market in Fairview (fall decor, handmade jewelry, sugar scrubs and more). Items are also at Urban Pine and Mustard Seed Nursery.
“As of yesterday’s generous donation, the LFL kit is fully funded,” Sprouse said. “Any additional donations can go towards add-ons: solar panel light, paint, concrete, books to fill library, etc.”
LittleFreeLibrary.org provides information on how to get a little free library started and information to support a library steward.
You can use the Little Free Library mobile app (https://littlefreelibrary.org/app) or web map (https://littlefreelibrary.org/map) to find Little Free Libraries near you.
For more information, contact sprousehouse777@gmail.com.
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