I’ve gone back and forth about sharing this post right now with all that is happening around us. Opening a little free library seems so trivial when looking at the loss and devastation that has plagued the place we call home. Except I know that it’s not. If this adventure can bring joy, cultivate empathy, increase knowledge for one person (my family included), even if only for a moment or a season, then it will have been a worthy pursuit. In the meantime, we will continue to look for other ways to support our community.
If you saw our Instagram Story then you know that our library is officially all dressed up! The lovely Steph of a dapper line, an artist I have adored and admired, graciously took on our little library in the midst of all of her amazing projects. When the girls saw it, they were thrilled. Little do they know that I may have cried a little on the way home after picking it up. Not only am I grateful that she shared her gift with us and future library visitors but I'm hopeful and excited as we prepare for the next part of this exciting adventure — opening day!
As long as the weather allows, we are looking to open our little library door the second weekend of December. We are planning a little grand opening celebration as a way to let friends, family and neighbors (soon to be friends we hope) know that we are here and invite them (you!) to be a part of the spreading of light in the form of books.
For those not familiar with how Little Free Libraries run they are for everyone! While we intend to primarily feature books for children and teens our hope is that families will be able to read these stories together too! Anyone who visits Little Light of Mine Library can contribute books or take books. And while returning the book isn’t required, if one would like to return it so that others can enjoy it that would be wonderful (but again, not required).
In order to ensure that our neighborhood library can shine for years to come our hope is that visitors won't just take books, but if, and only if they're able to, they'd also bring books to share. We’ve got a sweet inventory of stories to get us started thanks to donations from family and friends, we’ve also purchased some (library sales, classroom book orders, bookstores, online) and donated some from our personal library.
Our lovely stamp arrived last week so we'll be stamping all the books we’ll be sharing and we're absolutely giddy over the sweet buttons we’ll be sharing opening day! We've also got a couple other special treats in the works. Even so, I know what's most important is this — our reason. You are our reason.
If you're local (San Fernando Valley, CA) and interested in visiting, donating books, or items for our grand opening or even possibly doing a reading (author friends) please email me!
And please email me if you’ve ever hosted a grand opening of your own and have some tips to share. As you know, I’ve never done a little library grand opening but it seems like a special way to celebrate an adventure that won’t be ours alone!
As an introvert a small part of me is terrified. As a person who wants to do a better job of loving my neighbors even in small ways such as the sharing of books, I'm excited and hopeful. I know in our seeking to bless others our hearts will expand and stretch and be made full, we'll be blessed too. Always happens that way.