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Advisory board considers 'little free libraries' in parks; staff to research costs and maintenance
Summary
A board member proposed installing small community book-exchange boxes in parks. Members asked staff to research feasibility, potential partners such as the library district, vandalism and maintenance concerns, and alternative indoor locations like the Reynard Center.
At the Oct. 14 informational meeting, a board member asked the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to consider installing "little free libraries"—small, public book-exchange boxes—in city parks.
"I do have something I'd like to put out on the table...is the idea of putting the little libraries in the parks," the board member said, noting the concept exists in some neighborhoods and other municipalities. Board members discussed likely book sources (donations, library-district surplus or book-sale stock) and raised maintenance and vandalism concerns. One member noted a neighborhood example where glass had been smashed and replaced with a non-glass solution.
Staff said the idea had not been previously considered and recommended researching park-appropriate locations and maintenance costs before pursuing any installations. Board members also suggested indoor alternatives such as placing a book-exchange at the Reynard Center, where informal book swaps already occur among program participants.
The board asked staff to gather more information and report back at the next scheduled meeting so members can weigh pros and cons and identify potential community partners; no formal action was taken because the session lacked a quorum.
