Tiny Library Proposal

Good morning PCHOA!

Our neighbor, Janetta, is proposing a tiny library be placed in Princeton Chase to promote community and reading.  The proposed location would be near the tennis court.     Janetta is willing to lead this effort and be a steward over the library.

A tiny library is a small structure that holds books and effectively works as a neighborhood book exchange.  It is akin to a “community library” and there is over 32,000+ little free libraries worldwide.

 The benefits of a tiny library are:

 1. Promotes Literacy -  Reading teaches discipline, empathy, history (and what we can learn from it), etc. The benefits are in indeed too numerous to list in full.  Books are treasures, and the tiny library is an easy and risk-free way for someone to get into a book.  Users are able to “take” a book with no pressure to return it.  However, hopefully if one takes a book, they leave one for the next person who might be interested.

 2. Promotes General Neighborliness - In the words of Marcus Brotherton: “When it comes to where he lives, an immature man tends to see his neighborhood only as a place to hang his hat. But a mature man sees his neighborhood as a place he helps create.” You can help create the neighborhood you want to live in — that you want your children to grow up in — by installing a little free library. You’re promoting not only literacy, but friendliness, general well-being, community identity, etc.

 3. Allows You to Talk with Strangers - The ability to talk with strangers is a skill which improves your general social skills, but also just makes one happier. Neighbors should never be strangers. What better way to commune with strangers than over books?  Whether you start up a conversation or they do, more often than not there’s some small talk happening at the tiny library.  Knowing your neighbors leads to more open communications and a better neighborhood overall. 

4. Cultivates Your Spirit of Generosity -  Books and the knowledge that comes with them are highly valued.  The generosity of a diverse tiny library   to be enjoyed by neighbors is a small act of kindness.  Generosity is about giving . . . . .giving of yourself, giving to your neighbors, giving to our community. Who knows?  This one small act could change the way neighbors connect, act and interact.

 Community volunteers are needed to support Janetta in this initiative and there are many ways to assist such as:

• Donations to purchase the tiny library (@$300) OR

• Some of our handy neighbors who can build the tiny library

• Donations of gently used books.

Thank you, Janetta, for proposing this initiative and agreeing to lead the charge.  If anyone wants more info, would like to volunteer or need to contact Janetta, see the attached flyer.