A little known fact about me is that I was the first library card holder in Mt. Top, Pennsylvania. When the Mt. Top Area Library opened it’s doors my mother, brother and I must have been the first three in line. The library was located in an old home with creaky wood floors. The librarian typed the information on a piece of cardstock back in the day when people used typewriters and there was no lamination process. We also got our photo in the paper, my brother was card holder number two and my mom number three.
This little bit of memorabilia almost got me a spot on The Letterman Show for one of David Letterman’s segments with audience members. I attended The Letterman Show years ago with a friend and they asked us to fill out a questionnaire regarding any claims to fame. Having been a huge Letterman fan during my college years I thought my library story would be right up his alley. I later got a call back from the producers, but I was no longer in New York.
Kelly Rae Robert’s Little Free Library
from the Little Free Library Gallery
I’ve always had a love for books. I have a tendency to collect them more than I do read them and joke about one day opening my own library. I came across the Little Free Library program on Kelly Rae Robert’s blog. The Little Free Library is a box full of books where people can share their favorite books. They are typically located in front of a person’s home. Anyone can stop by and pick up a book and then bring another book back to share. It encourages reading and a sense of community. You can purchase Little Free Libraries from their website or build your own. The Little Free Library website is full of helpful information to help you get started. You can register your library box with the website and they also provide a map of current locations. I was surprised to find there are three registered in my area. There are 4,000 or so registered nationwide. I love this concept and it appears to be growing by leaps and bounds.
Little Free Libraries, sharing books and a love for reading makes me smile! How about you? Would you start a Little Free Library?
Wow!!! What an incredibly amazing find!! My Dad would love this! It just jumped to the top of the holiday wish list. It’s really, seriously cool! I wonder if it would work in NYC…
YES! I would start one! I’m also getting one for my mother! Their house is on a walking trail in Platte City, and I think it would be perfect for that! She and Dad like to watch people walk by from their patio. I can imagine how much fun she’d have sharing her books!
Dawn Michelle! you tell the best stories! I love libraries, too. None more than my first library which was a big old building in the middle of town. old and creeky with a big center stairway up the middle. Certainly not like the Blue Valley Libraries!
I knew you would like this too! That would be perfect for your parents. I was surprised there are three in our area that were registered. I don’t visit the library as much anymore. Drive Thru windows are convenient, but it’s not quite the same experience. I need to stop buying so many books though so maybe I’ll start visiting the library more 🙂
This is so darn cool I can hardly stand it!!! FIRST CARD HOLDER, BABY!!!
And to think, The Letterman show totally recognized your greatness and would have featured you if only you were still in NY!!! Awesome!! –Lisa
Timing is everything! I was able to find that card, but don’t ask me where any important papers are located 🙂
Great story. I love you little library card! And the mini libraries are adorable. I love it when hotels have those to swap your books.
The stuff I keep is crazy, but then I couldn’t tell you where important papers are like my birth certificate.
What a neat idea! Thanks for sharing.