CITY OF BRENHAM LOOKING TO EXPAND LITTLE FREE LIBRARY PROGRAM

  

The City of Brenham is looking to build upon its book collection.

One of Brenham's Little Free Libraries, this one located at the Back Lot Gallery.
(courtesy photo)

At Wednesday’s meeting of the Brenham Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, board members heard from Suzy Hankins, co-owner of Ant Street Inn and a member of the Fortnightly Club of Brenham, about potentially expanding upon the city’s Little Free Library program.

A Little Free Library acts as a neighborhood book exchange, where the public is invited to either take or leave a book.  Supporters of the international program say it makes books more accessible for readers of all ages.

Hankins said she first received two Little Free Libraries in 2018, placing them at the Back Lot Gallery and the Main Street House.  She said there are now six in town, and the community response has been very positive.

Hankins said the Fortnightly Club often times has many books left over after their annual book sale in February, and many of those books have to be thrown away.  She proposed that these books instead be put into the Little Free Libraries, and that the club partner with the city to build more of the Little Free Libraries within the park system.

Hankins said proceeds from the Brenham BookFest, held each Labor Day weekend, would be used to purchase the materials for the Little Free Libraries, which cost between $350 and $500.  The city’s costs would just be for labor and installation, and maintenance if need be.  She said community members could also donate libraries, and special plaques could be made to note the donors.

City Manager James Fisher, whose wife is a librarian, said he thinks this is a great program, and the city will “be supportive of this 100 percent”.

Board members said they intend to put the matter onto the agenda for possible implementation at their next meeting.  City staff will begin looking at locations in the park system to place the Little Free Libraries.

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3 Comments

  1. You should see if any boy scout or girl scout group or a high school shop class would build and install them for you.

    1. It’s a great project for an Eagle Scout or Senior Girl Scout with skills. If we want one, can we build our own for our neighborhood?

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