I’m rarely without a book wherever I go. I read in the car and on planes. When I head to the DMV, I anticipate the wait in line and I bring my book along. In the evening, I’m often seen by neighbors on our front porch with my kindle and water bottle. I’ve always loved reading and as a kid, my favorite spot on family vacations was in the back of our Chevy station wagon, cuddled up with a blanket, pillow and a few books. If necessary, I argued with my siblings to claim that spot. We’d drive to Chicago or Wyoming, visiting national parks and seeing relatives, and those long drives were pure pleasure for me with my stack of library books.

I love the wide array of activities that our public libraries bring to the community. From makerspaces to free classes, author talks and community events, mahjong groups and meeting spaces, our libraries have it all. With a library card, you can check out lawn games, video games and toys like a Rody Horse geared towards motor skill development, borrow Discovery Kits like a Remote Control Gear Bot or MAGNA-Tiles building sets. There are 3-D printers, sewing machines and button makers, and 3-D scanners in the Makerspaces. Our libraries offer more resources than anyone could possibly use in a lifetime.

Have you seen any little free libraries around town? Anyone can build one and start stocking it with a few books. Anyone can take a book or leave books for others. It’s a great idea that started in 2009 as a non-profit organization and it quickly became a global movement. Worldwide, there are estimated to be more than 500 million books that have circulated through these little free libraries. Their vision is a free library in every community and a free book for every reader.

There are instructions and blueprints on the LittleFreeLibrary.org website. For example, if you have an extra kitchen cabinet that’s not being used, there’s a blueprint to turn it into a little free library. There are blueprints for one that looks like a Vermont covered bridge, a school bus, and a schoolhouse. Some designers have created little free libraries with benches and seats to make them even more enticing. Most of the time, all that’s needed are materials like wood and paint and a few tools and things like nails and screws. And of course, willingness and time. “All people are empowered when the opportunity to discover a personally relevant book to read isn’t limited by time, space, or privilege,” states the website.

Some people think of books as a superfood because research shows some improvement of brain function, memory, and concentration to name a few things. Reading improves one’s vocabulary and comprehension which are especially important for young children. In addition, reading can strengthen emotional intelligence skills like empathy because books enable you to see things from different points of view, especially to understand perspectives which are very opposite of our own.

I wish there were little free libraries every few blocks. How fun that would be!