Little Free Library Coming to Palatine
A new Little Free Library will be installed at Falcon Park Recreation Center, 2195 N. Hicks Road, Palatine. The library is the brainchild of Maria Schlup, a reading specialist at Lincoln School in Palatine.
A ribbon cutting ceremony for the Little Free Library will be held on Tuesday, September 8 at 4:00pm at Falcon Park in recognition of International Literacy Day. The International Literacy Association encourages people to join the movement to open Little Free Libraries to celebrate. The ribbon cutting will be open to the public, with light refreshments provided by Palatine Park District. Local dignitaries planning to attend include Palatine Mayor Jim Schwantz, Superintendent of CCSD15 Scott Thomspon, Palatine Park District Executive Director Mike Clark, and Lincoln School Principal Mary Beth Knoeppel. Staff members from CCSD15 and Palatine Park District along with families from the community will also be in attendance.
According to the website littlefreelibrary.org, Little Free Libraries belong to everyone. The guiding premise is Take a Book, Return a Book, and anyone may use a Little Free Library. Books can be shared with others, or returned to any Little Free Library location. Little Free Libraries offer a free way to share good things to read.
Schlup, who is currently pursuing her doctorate in literacy, began to formulate the idea to build a Little Free Library in Palatine after receiving information about the program from the International Literacy Association. Schlup saw this opportunity as a "way to get books into kids' hands, and as a solution to the loss of the bookmobile in our community." The library itself was built by Kathy and Bill Hatzold. Kathy was a longtime Program Assistant at Lincoln School who is currently retired and was looking for a way to give back to the community. This first Little Free Library was funded by Schlup, with worksmanship donated by the Hatzolds. The plan is to continue to build additional Little Free Libraries in the community, with possible locations at Palatine Opportunity Center, Lincoln School, and other area schools. Each library costs approximately $150 to build and install.
Those interested in making donations of materials or funds for future Little Free Libraries in Palatine can contact Schlup at schlupm@ccsd15.net. Those who would like to donate books for the Little Free Library can bring them to the ribbon cutting on September 8. A book collection box is also located at Lincoln School, 1021 N. Ridgewood Lane, Palatine.
The mission of Palatine Park District is to provide a variety of safe, enjoyable and affordable parks and recreation facilities and activities that will enhance the quality of life by promoting good health and well-being for all residents and visitors of the Palatine Park District.