“Summer reading makes you feel like you’re on vacation wherever you are. That’s what happens when you can escape into a good book,” says Rosanna Long, Director of the Wilmot Public Library (WPL), sponsor of the tiny library project.
Jackie Thompson, Chairman of the Library’s Board of Trustees, brought the idea to the board after reading about it in the news. Local wood worker Doug MacDonald volunteered to construct the little library outposts, donating both his time and materials.
To launch the project, “We put six tiny libraries on display for adoption during Town Election Day this past March,” explains Long. “All were adopted by the end of that day and we had a wait list for more.” MacDonald went back to his workshop and provided three more for a current total of nine.
Each of the tiny libraries has been painted and decorated by its adopter and has its own personality. For instance, one has a bowl of dog biscuits inside for visiting pooches and one offers a handy reading bench next to it.
All books in the tiny libraries have been donated as well. Visitors are invited to read them on the spot or take them home. Readers may replace a book they take with one of their own if they wish, but it is not required. Volunteers look forward to replenishing books as needed.
Why introduce tiny libraries to Wilmot? Long explains that, “Wilmot has a strong sense of community and town pride despite being spread out geographically. This project is purely for fun, scattering little pieces of the Wilmot Public Library around town like confetti. And the project seems to have appealed to people beyond the usual core of library volunteers,” reflects Long. “I’m excited that new people are involved, expanding the reach of our library community.”
“Watching children discover a tiny library and find a book they love during a walk, bike ride or car trip around the town loop brings me so much joy,” reports Rhonda Gauthier, a Campground Road tiny library adopter. “I also really enjoy being able to share books that I have already read and loved.”
Currently, the tiny libraries are located on the Wilmot town green, Pancake Road, at Wilmot Learning Place preschool, the WCA’s Timothy Patten Park Beach on Shindagan Road, the intersection of Sawyer and North Wilmot Roads, three spots on Campground Road and on the top of Bog Mountain, a short uphill hike from Stearns Road.
The Bog Mountain tiny library has already gotten a lot of attention. It has been the subject of several social media postings in response to a picture of Kai Dude trucking
the little library up the trail to the summit. One posting was authored by Wilmot Selectman Gary Palumbo who, accompanied by his son Brad, noted “What a lovely day for reading on the summit of Bog Mountain. Thanks for the tiny library…Brad’s been wanting to read Huckleberry Finn!”
Even book authors have commented. Well known N.H. author and outdoorsman Dan Szczensny enthusiastically posted how proud he was that the Bog Mountain summit tiny library contains one of his books, “today a new high … I’m proud to say Buffalo and Tough Cookie’s adventure can now be enjoyed at the top of a mountain! Thank you so much for the honor. What a treat!”
In support of the WPL’s tiny library project, the Wilmot Historical Society is offering a $10 gift certificate to the first three people who have their photograph taken next to (and included in each photo) all nine of the tiny libraries. It can be redeemed at the society’s popular “Curiosity Shop,” a part time participant in the weekly Wilmot Farmers’ Market (WFM) held on the Wilmot town green at 9 Kearsarge Valley Road. The WHS’s Curiosity Shop will be offering collectibles and curiosities for sale during regular market hours, 9 AM to noon, on just the first Saturday each month of the market’s three-month season; July 1, August 5 and September 2.
To claim a gift certificate, just show your photos (via phone or other digital device) to Long, or any library volunteer on duty during the library’s regular open hours. Visit: wilmotlibrary.org for that information.
The tiny libraries will be in place until Labor Day. Have a great summer and happy reading!