The Little Free Library

By Mia Freneaux
    When it comes to bibliophiles, Central resident Jan Anderson defines the term.  “I’ve always loved books, “she relates, “I have books everywhere.  My mother used to read to me when I was little, and I always encouraged my kids to read.”  Jan’s personal library has hundreds of books in it.  It seemed inevitable, then, when she read about the “Little Free Library” program, that she would pursue creating one herself.
    “The Little Free Library program is a national movement that encourages people to exchange books,” Jan says, “I wanted to create one to interest other people to read and to share my books with my neighbors.”  This isn’t her first endeavor to instill a love of reading in people.  Jan is also the founder of the local “Page Turners” Book Club, which she began when she couldn’t find one locally to join.  Ironically, the public library began one just a few months later.  The “Page Turners” is one of four Book Clubs Jan is a member of, including the oldest book club in America, the “Chatauqua Literary and Scientific Circle” along with her husband, Eric.
    “I read about creating a Little Free Library on their website, LittleFreeLibrary.org.  They give you plans on how to build the little houses, or you can buy one from them.  I asked Eric to build me one for my birthday.”  This was in October.  Since then, Jan has gotten a lot of great feedback, especially from the children.  “They come up with their old books and exchange them for one of mine.  It was Beverly Cleary’s 100th birthday recently, and I put several of her books in the Library.  They disappeared quickly!” Jan smiles.  
    Jan stocks her little house with books for adults and children on all sorts of topics.  Popular novelists sit next to classic children’s books and religious and scientific books.  Participants in the Little Free Library program register the location of their library on the website.  The program began in 2009, as of January of this year, over 36,000 of these libraries are listed.  “I absolutely would encourage others to do this.  It’s a great way to meet your neighbors!”
    When asked who her favorite authors are, Jan endorsed mystery writer Ann Cleeves, but the former Latin student states quite positively, “I love just about every genre, except Julius Caesar!”