Although it does blend in with the leafy rustic décor of the canyon. The largest grassroots book-sharing network in the world has branched out to Butters Canyon! We now have our own Free Little Library, built by generous neighbors during the pandemic to allow us all to share our favorite reading adventures.
In the Spring of 2000, our neighbor Judy Mateo knew about Free Little Libraries (FLL) and researched their non-profit on their website, littlefreelibrary.org. She thought building a little library for the neighborhood would be a useful contribution to help offset the growing anxieties/ doldrums of the pandemic. What better person to turn to for the design and construction than her husband, Arturo Mateo, a retired builder/ contractor? Art’s building skills are such that he described making the little library as “simple, fun and easy. I had all the materials already at hand except for the shingles on the roof.” It was always Judy’s plan to put the Free Little Library in Butters Canyon for neighbors to enjoy. She consulted with other canyon-lovers on placement. Art, Judy and their son Devin helped erect the FLL under the wizened, curvy oak tree.
FLLs are the largest grassroots book-sharing network in the world (over 100,000 and growing). With many schools and public libraries closed, Little Free Library book-sharing boxes are more important than ever. Little Free Libraries help bring neighbors closer together, share resources, and build interest in reading among youngsters. Judy has noticed that the most popular books in the canyon’s FLL are children’s books, and then, of course, best sellers and thrillers come and go quickly too.
All are welcome to contribute books and/or withdraw books. Also, don’t feel you can’t slip a note with your comments into a book you’ve read and enjoyed, either anonymously or personally. My own experience with the FLL was fun. I’d read about a book receiving a lot of attention, Jenny Offill’s Weather. How delightful to find the small, almost-brand-new book tucked into the FLL with a note slipped inside saying “This is a really good read for the time we are in right now. Hope you like it. Elise on Trinidad.” Elise, thank you for sharing this little treasure of a book. I plan to return Weather back to the FLL with both your note and mine inside!
Judy has registered our FLL on the website. She tends the FLL occasionally by arranging and culling books, and tidying and de-leafing the house. Contact Judy if you would enjoy becoming another steward of our FLL to help make the FLL popular and well-used by the neighborhood. And don’t forget to stop by the little library and browse and/or contribute!