Huntley residents will be invited to “Take a Book, Return a Book,” when three new Little Free Libraries are installed in spring of 2017.
Jarrod Khoo, a 15 year-old sophomore at Huntley High School, is building three Little Free Libraries that, when completed, will be installed in parks or other public areas of Huntley and registered by the Friends of the Huntley Library. By registering the Little Free Libraries, the book stations will be included on a national registry so that anyone can locate them.
“Some travel around the country to visit these little libraries,” said Pamela Kampwerth, volunteer coordinator and Friends Foundation liaison at the Huntley Public Library.
Eagle Scout Jarrod Khoo (right) with his father Chris displaying one of Jarrod’s handcrafted Little Free Libraries at its future spot in Deicke Park. (Photo by Chris LaPelusa/Sun Day)
Khoo approached the library about doing the project as a way for him to earn his Eagle Scount ranking. Khoo has been in Scouts since second grade, and says the library was a part of his life growing up, too. Since he enjoys reading and has volunteered at the library in the past, the project to build Little Free Libraries seems like a perfect match.
Kampwerth said the Huntley Area Library Friends Foundation was looking for someone to build the tiny structures as a way to reach out to the community, promote literacy, and act as a connection to make the community aware of the library’s services. The Friends Foundation was thrilled when Khoo approached them with the idea to do the project.
The Little Free Library movement had humble beginnings in 2009, when Todd Bol of Hudson, Wisconsin built the first Little Free Library out of wood in memory of his bookworm mother and placed it in his front yard. Since then, the idea of making free books available to the community in public spaces caught on; today there are more than 50,000 Little Free Libraries registered across the United States in all 50 states and 70 countries.
Kampwerth said the Friends of the Library will cover the cost of registering the libraries. Possible locations for the tiny structures include Deicke Park, Tomaso Sports Park, and perhaps a space near downtown Huntley so free books can be enjoyed by many.
“We see it as a way to do outreach into the community,” said Kampwerth, who says the shelves will be stocked with books for both adults and children. The books will be free, but those who take a book are invited to come again and donate another book to keep the shelves stocked.
As for Khoo, building the prototype turned out to be a great introduction to Little Free Libraries.
“I built the first library with my dad, then I have to gather some volunteers together for the second and third one,” he explained.
Khoo noted that the project was certainly a learning experience.
“It was a lot harder than I thought,” he continued. “It takes a lot of patience and planning beforehand. You can’t just jump into it. But now I know what I have to do.”
