Take One, Leave One

Glenwood is officially part of the world’s largest book-sharing movement.

Thanks to the efforts of some volunteers at the Loess Hills Makerspace, the community now has its very own Little Free Library – a place where residents can exchange books with one another free of charge.

Allen Scott, who custom built the wooden box that contains around two dozen books, said the idea for library came from one of the makerspace regulars – Morgan Prusha, who helps with projects at the shop, teaches classes and serves as the facility’s social media administrator.

“Morgan came in one day and talked about seeing these Little Free Libraries on the Internet,” Scott said. “I thought this sounds like quite an idea, so when she came back three days later, I had one put together.”

After getting permission from the Glenwood City Council, the decorated box was placed on the sidewalk outside the front door of the makerspace.

“There’s 5,000 different ways to make them and decorate them,” Scott said. “Samantha Parr, she’s a college freshman, she painted it and did a very nice job.”

Glenwood’s Little Free Library is one of more than 26,000 built over the past few years in communities of all sizes across the United States.

“It’s nothing new, it’s something that’s been going on for a long time.,” Scott said.

The Little Free Library concept is a simple – pick out a book to take home and replace it with one you’ve already read.
“There’s a sign down below on the post that says, ‘Take One, Leave One.’ That’s the general idea,” Scott noted.
Scott said the library typically has an inventory of 20-25 books – child, teen and adult selections.

“I think the people who take books out of there will realize what kind of books we’re putting in,” Scott said. “I check it every day. If I need to add some, I keep a few books here on hand that I can put in.

Scott said the number of books being exchanged is growing steadily as more people in the community learn about the Little Free Library.

“It’s catching on,” he said. “I noticed especially on the kids’ stuff, there’s a lot of those books going out and there’s a lot of those coming in.”

The Opinion-Tribune

116 S Walnut St Glenwood, IA 51534-1665
P.O. Box 377, Red Oak, IA 51566
Phone: 712-527-3191
Phone: 712-623-2566
Fax: 712-527-3193

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