Literacy links communities together through free libraries
By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
Since Little Free Libraries started popping up worldwide in 2009, there have been 36,000 structures built in an effort to promote literacy and bolster a sense of community, but never in Western Kenosha County, according to a global website.
That was until now, with a launch in the Town of Salem, and two more expected in Twin Lakes in the coming months.
Amy Wagner, a Bristol Grade School teacher, spearheaded an effort to build the first in the Town of Salem.
“As a reading and language teachers – I love reading and love the feel of a good book in my hand,” Wagner said. “I have many books of my own and thought putting a Little Free Library on our own would bring the community together.”
Wagner, her husband, Spence and children developed a vision in the fall, starting with purchase of a box at a flea market.
The vision had been supported by Wagner’s entire family, acknowledging her love of reading.
“They know of my love of reading because my favorite gift to give to them for birthdays and holidays is a good book,” Wagner said.
However, after the weather was uncooperative, Wagner opted to wait until this month to unveil the newest free library on the corner of 234th Avenue and 86th Street in Salem.
Wagner’s two children, Grace and Abel, started painting the small structure before her other son, Jake and friend Billy Neave secured the pole with cement.
Spence then weatherproofed it, added roof shingles and attached a latch to secure the free library.
Upon finishing the project, she registered for a license on the worldwide website, where tourists and visitors often search for the “Take a book, leave a book” program.
Meanwhile, love of literacy has spread after Twin Lakes, in collaboration with Wilmot Union High School, agreed to place two Little Free Libraries in the village at a recent board meeting.
Wilmot’s Communications Coordinator Erin Cullen had a strong desire to bring the benefits of literacy into the Twin Lakes community, noting it is more than reading, but rather absorbing information.
“I am not sure if I can adequately express how important literacy is,” Cullen said. “Literacy is the foundation upon which our futures are built.”
“People think literacy is ‘just about reading,’ but that is not the case. Me wanting to promote literacy is not about books, it’s about knowledge,” she added.
Reading Specialist Julie Kerkman of Wilmot agreed, stating it is a complement to the Kenosha County’s Community Library system.
“Children need parents that read. Parents need access to books,” Kerkman said. “The libraries build a sense of community.”
The free book exchange allows a community to pay it forward, sometimes adding inspirational messages into them, with hopes of bolstering cohesion.
“To imagine someone, like me, loving a book so much that they want to share it and bring it to a Little Free Library, writing a note in it, and passing it along to a neighbor, a friend, or a complete stranger,” Cullen said. “That’s what I hope for these libraries.”
In addition to bolstering the Village, Wilmot’s project fosters a strong partnership between several school organizations that include the Technology Education department, whose students are building the two libraries with the Art Club applying the aesthetics.
The Technology Education students started work on both libraries this week, which expect placement at Legion and Lance parks in Twin Lakes.
While Wagner and Cullen have planted the first seeds into their communities, they want Little Free Libraries to blossom, with plans to add more.
“My hope is to add a second box on to the pole at a lower level of all children’s books. I hope to get this done this summer along with a bench so readers can sit and browse through the books,” Wagner said.
Similar to Wagner, Cullen wants to add two more, and agreed with Wagner, stating a bench in a shady area is an ideal setting to promote reading in a community, naming Sunset and Mueller parks.
“I thought of Mueller Park at first, which I thought was very nice,” Cullen stated in the Village Board meeting when Twin Lakes approved the two additions. “It already has a bench and a tree area.”
Note: This article appeared in the Lifestyle section of June 3 print edition of the Westosha Report, published by Southern Lakes Newspapers. It also appeared in other print editions in the Southern Lakes Newspapers coverage area.