By Eric Valentine
The concept of not having libraries fully open during the summer is a bummer for families who look to them as safe, educational and fun community centers where kids can hang out during the adult workday. The concept of not having libraries fully open during the summer for someone whose profession it is to get kids reading at their optimal level is unthinkable.
That’s what triggered Bellevue Elementary reading support specialist Chrissy Johnson and other colleagues at the school to promote another concept: Little Free Libraries—small cupboards that can be erected around town to hold books that kids can take for free. As of now, there is one at the Gannett Fire Station that Johnson had installed with the help of Allen Allred of Allred Precision Millwork. The Bellevue Library has also installed its own, and Johnson said she is working with Atkinsons’ Market in Bellevue to install one outside the grocery store, too.
“With COVID closing down the libraries, we just couldn’t imagine an extended period of time where kids don’t have access to free books,” Johnson explained.
Valley libraries have been reopening, at least to some degree, but there’s no guarantee that an uptick in COVID cases couldn’t force them to close again. The normal summertime offerings also won’t be as robust this year. For instance, Hailey Library is only offering pickup and dropoff and no public computers or printers are available at this time. Additionally, the library stacks are not open for browsing.
Given the nature of the coronavirus being able to stay active on surfaces for some time, Johnson is encouraging parents to let their kids take a book and keep it.
“There’s no need to return the books. We’ll be making sure the libraries are fully stacked with books all summer,” Johnson said.
Johnson is also encouraging members of the community to donate books to the little libraries. She said that the program is aimed at pre-teen readers and under. Donors can contact Johnson at cjohnson@bcsd.org if they have any questions about what materials would be appropriate.
“I’m happy to do any vetting, but really, anything that you could read to a baby or that is meant for a pre-teen to read is a good thing,” Johnson said.
Next to the Little Free Libraries will be signage with a QR code people can scan with their smartphone. The code sends you to a website with reading resources parents and young readers may find helpful, Johnson explained.
