‘Little Free Libraries’ May Be Coming To Township Parks, Trails

“Little Free Libraries” similar to this one in East Millstone may soon be coming to township parks and trails.

“Little Free Libraries” may soon be coming to township parks and trails.

The idea to place the small “libraries” in various parts of Franklin was broached by Tara Kenyon – the township’s open space consultant – at the April 17 meeting of the Open Space Advisory Committee.

Kenyon’s idea was to place the structures at trail heads and in some township parks.

The idea was met favorably by committee members, who gave her teh go-ahead to look more deeply into the possibility.

“Little Free Libraries” have been installed around the world. They are essentially boxes placed on poles, into which a number of books are placed.

The idea is that people take books to read, and leave books for others to read.

There are currently two “Little Free Libraries” in the township, one in East Millstone, attached to a side door at the Sunrise Creek Deli on Main Street, and a second one in the prayer garden at St. Matthias Church on John F. Kennedy Boulevard.

“They’re very simple to construct,” Kenyon told the open space committee.

Township Manager Robert Vornlocker said Kenyon’s idea was “neat,” and said that each property would have to be evaluated for suitability.

“I think you have to look at each individual property on its own merits and see,” he said. “If it would work in one, it might not work in all, but it might work in some.”

“We have a bunch of benches at Griggstown (Native Grassland Preserve) that maybe it might work there because people might go there and grab a book on a beautiful summer day and read a book,” he said. “I think that’s a wonderful idea.”

“The Eagle Scouts are always looking for stuff to do,” Vornlocker said. “That’s a nice little project.”

The Little Free Library at St. Matthias was constructed in 2017 by Girl Scout Troop 60628 as part of their Junior Bronze Award.

“Some of our parks would be perfect for it, too,” Vornlocker said. “Maybe put one by the tot lot in Middlebush Park, where people would sit while they’re watching their kids, and they go and grab a book. The idea is they take them, and they bring them back and put more in.”

“It’ a neat idea,” he said. “If somebody takes a book and never comes back with it it’s not a big deal because there will always be other people who are bringing four or five to stick in the box.”

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