Tuesday, July 1, 2014

July Comments for a Cause - Little Free Library

It is the first of the month and time to give an update on my Comments for a Cause program.  In the month of June I couldn't get over the local support for La Luz Hispana.  During the month 258 comments were made, equaling a donation of $129 to this remarkable program that is helping and so many families and individuals in Franklin County.  I am very proud that my community provides these resources and support to our community members.

In the month of July I'm looking forward to donating $0.50 for every comment to the international Little Free Library program.  As some of you may know, I worked throughout this year to bring a Little Free Library to Latimer, Iowa and I'm happy to say that we installed the Little Free Library at the beginning of June.

"Take A Book, Leave A Book" today at the Latimer Little Free Library
You can even take a seat and enjoy a book while visiting our location
Latimer, Iowa's Little Free Library
So, what is a Little Free Library?  The Little Free Library movement began in Wisconsin five years ago and now has nearly 12,000 locations world-wide, over 100 of which are in Iowa.  I first read about Little Free Libraries through the "Parade" insert in our newspaper a few years ago and in the last couple of years I have started seeing them in the communities of a couple of my family members.  The traditional Little Free Library is a free-standing structure that kind of looks like an over-sized bird house that is then filled with a collection of books for members of the community or neighborhood to access.  The Little Free Library works by the "take a book, leave a book" philosophy.  When someone goes to the Library and picks out a book, they are asked to replace it with another book.

My love for my community and passion for childhood literacy is what drove me to set up a Little Free Library in the community of Latimer.  Reading is really important to me and raising my kids.  My kids and I read every day and always have books around.  The town of Latimer doesn't have a library and I know there are many kids in town that don't have an opportunity to go to a library, especially in the summer.  So I thought bringing a Little Free Library to Latimer would be great for all the youth of the community, and for the adults who love to read too.

And through this month's Comment for a Cause program I hope to help other small communities that don't have libraries of their own bring a Little Free Library to their town through the Little Free Library Small Town Initiative.  I was very fortunate to receive support from Post Alpha-Bits cereal and the Latimer City Council when setting up my Little Free Library, but I know every small community might not have access to those resources.  So that is why I'm supporting the Small Town Initiative this month.

If you are ever in the Latimer, Iowa, stop by and visit our community's Little Free Library.  It is located in Downtown Latimer on the west-side of Akir Street.  Do you have a Little Free Library in your community?  Be sure to Comment for a Cause all month long to help out this world-wide cause!

17 comments:

  1. What a cool idea! We have a library here in Northwood, but it's not open everyday. This is awesome! I'm going to share the idea! Thank you!

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    1. A lot of people put them up in their yard for their local neighborhood. Let me know if you get something going in Northwood and if you need any advice!

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    1. Thanks! I think the Little Free Library is a great initiative.

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  3. Such a great idea! I've never heard of this before, but I love it!!

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    1. Check out the organization. They have a map of all their Little Free Libraries. You might have one close to you or you could bring one to your community!

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  4. We have large libraries but never saw a little free one around here (Cleveland, Ohio). Great idea! We love going to our libraries.

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    1. You'll have to check them out. I know the program has a large influence in the Midwest and that it is always growing and gaining momentum nation and even world-wide.

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  5. Great idea and good luck with the cause.

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  6. Wow--you did great last month!!! That is awesome. And wonderful! And fabulous!!! Good for you! And of course I love this next one, too! Great idea and wonderful way to support them. Did you see that they are discontinuing World Book Night???? I am so sad about that!!!

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    1. Thanks Beth Ann! I did see that World Book Night is being discontinued. I hope it is just a year hiatus and then it'll return again, or maybe they're just going to have to limit their givers?

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  7. I'll be commenting often as all libraries are near and dear to my heart.

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    1. That is great to hear Dee! I hope to have another great month of Comments for a Cause!

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  8. Great idea, Val. I've heard of these before and think they are awesome! Thanks for getting it started there in Latimer.

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    1. Thanks and your welcome. I love how the Latimer community has embraced the Little Free Library. I continually get comments about it.

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  9. What a wonderful idea! July is a great time of year to spread awareness and support for causes that are close to our hearts. ipvanish coupon code Little Free Libraries are a great way to help everyone in the community and I'm so glad you're helping to promote them. Keep up the great work!

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