A love of reading is
driving the “Take-
a-Book, Leave-a-
Book” concept.
By Paul Glasser
T
his summer, as many as 25 Little Free
Libraries could appear throughout
West Mifflin.
Mayor Chris Kelly says the Little Free
Libraries will improve access to educational
and reading materials in the community.
He served as a temporary administrator in
the nearby Carnegie Homestead Library in
2014 and says nearly 700 residents visited the
library each day.
“The use was unbelievable,” Kelly says.
The nearby southern campus of the
Community College of Allegheny County
also has a library, but that is an academic
collection.
“We recognized there was a need,” Kelly
says.
The Little Free Library is based on the “take
a book, leave a book concept.” The concept
originated in Wisconsin in 2009 and, since
then, more than 50,000 Little Free Libraries
have been created around the world. The
Little Free Libraries are becoming popular in
Pittsburgh and a student in Chartiers Valley
recently built one in his community.
Kelly unveiled on social media the plan
to build Little Free Libraries throughout the
community, and the response has been very
positive. Kelly hopes that about 25 families
and businesses in West Mifflin will build or
sponsor Little Free Libraries by the end of the
summer. Kelly wants to give schoolchildren
something to do besides playing video games.
“Everybody knows how important reading
is,” he says.
Participants can build a Little Free Library
themselves, or purchase one from local
furniture maker Unpolished Timbers. The
cost is $165 and purchasers can decorate the
library themselves. A member of the borough
council has also volunteered to help install
the libraries. Kelly says a Little Free Library
would also be a great Eagle Scout Project.
He hopes participants will build benches
so that patrons can relax near the libraries.
Anyone who hosts a Little Free Library
would be responsible for monitoring the
library and reporting any damage that occurs.
They are also responsible for removing any
inappropriate material, including religious or
political pamphlets.
If they are installed at strategic locations,
such as parks and baseball fields, Kelly says
it’s possible that the Little Free Libraries
could serve thousands of residents in the
community. The ideal location would be well
lit and have easy access to parking. Each Little
Free Library could hold about 50 books or
discs.
“I think the potential impact is fantastic,”
he says.
The local fire department and several
businesses have already pledged to help build
Little Free Libraries.
“My wife told me we’re building one, and I
said, ‘Ok’,” Kelly jokes.
A large number of books and educational
videos have already been donated for use in
The potential impact
is fantastic.
the Little Free Libraries. There’s a prototype
Little Free Library on display at the West
Mifflin municipal building, and many
residents have provided positive feedback.
Judith Gaydos is director of the Carnegie
Library of Mckeesport, which has a branch
library nearby in Duquesne. She supports
the plan to build Little Free Libraries in
West Mifflin because it will expand access to
reading materials. The libraries are convenient
for residents who don’t have easy access to
transportation. The libraries can also foster
social interaction and friendships among
patrons.
“They can bring people together,” Gaydos
says.
Carol Shrieve, director of administration at
the nearby Carnegie Library of Homestead,
says her organization will donate books to
supply reading materials for the West Mifflin
Little Free Libraries. West Mifflin is the
second largest patron base for the Homestead
library and Shrieve says the Little Free
Libraries could actually increase circulation
at her institution by reviving an interest in
literacy.
“We want to be a part of this,” she says. “It’s
a chance for neighbors to help neighbors.”
There are several Little Free Libraries near
the Homestead facility and they are very
popular.
“It’s very creative,” Shrieve explains. “It
really draws you in, like a vacuum. You want
to stop, read about it and pickup a book. They
are trendy and it’s picking up momentum.”
For more information, visit
westmifflinrecreation.com/littlelibraries/#. n
West Mifflin | Summer 2017 | icmags.com 13