Though a new public library for East Hamilton residents may not be on the radar, the Friends of Collegedale Public Library have added a free option to help them get books into the home.
On April 2, the Collegedale nonprofit introduced the community to its new Little Free Library during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Imagination Station.
The concept for the miniature library was derived from a Wisconsin-based nonprofit of the same name, which has helped install more than 5,000 weatherproof kiosks in 70 countries since it began in 2009.
The house-shaped library, which is larger than a birdhouse and can hold about 40 books, operates on an honor-based loan and exchange system. Anyone can borrow a book without a library card so long as they either return it or replace it with another book. The system ensures that the kiosk will be filled with an ever-changing variety of reading materials for locals to peruse.
“We just hope that families and folks that are visiting the Imagination Station will stop by the Little Free Library and take a break, pick a book, read a book and put it back, or take one and bring one,” said Collegedale Public Library Director Joanne Stanfield.