FOWL Meets This Week 01/12/2022

A “Little Free Library” has come to town!  Stop by Gilman Park and “Take a Book.  Share a Book.” This library is being sponsored by the Mellen Friends of Our Wonderful Library, FOWL.  We hope you share the joy of reading with your friends and neighbors.

A little history: Right here in Wisconsin, Todd Bol of Hudson built a tribute to his mom a teacher who loved to read.  It was a model of an old one room schoolhouse that was stationed on a post in his front yard and filled with books.  Books to take and share.  His friends and neighbors appreciated the thought and Todd built more and gave them away.

Bol and friend, Rick Brooks, expanded on the idea inspired by “take a book, leave a book” spaces in coffee shops, and other public spaces. I think Mellen School has such a table. They were also inspired by Andrew Carnegie who funded the construction of public libraries across the world.  Locally, Bayfield and Washburn are both Carnegie libraries still in operation.  Hayward and Superior also had Carnegie libraries but are now housed in newer facilities.  Though the Carnegie buildings still stand.

Traveling around the state and beyond Little Free Libraries can be found.  You may have already spotted a few.  Feel free to “Take a Book.  Share a Book.”  at our own Little Free Library in Gilman Park.  More next week on our own Little Free Library and Library notes from our past.  What do you know about Lutie Stearns and the Traveling Libraries of Wisconsin?

The Friends will hold a meeting on Thursday, January 13th at 6 pm with Conversation & Crafts to follow at 7 pm.

Hope to see you soon at the library.