Little Free Library in Carpentersville to promote literacy

Take a book, leave a book, share a book with a friend.

That's the idea behind the Little Free Library that will soon be installed at the Carpentersville Village Hall, courtesy of the Rotary Club of Carpentersville-Morning.

The concept was started by the Little Free Library nonprofit several years ago, at which point small, dollhouse-like structures filled with books began popping up throughout the country. Typically located in a common public place, a Little Free Library allows passers-by and nearby residents to conveniently exchange books - something Rotary Treasurer Lauren Rosenthal said aligns with one of the Rotary Club's core missions: Education and literacy.

"It brings an accessibility component to books," said Rosenthal, also the assistant director for support services at the Fox River Valley library. "I adore the public library, but we can't be open 24/7, and you've got some people who don't have a (library) card. Now, they've got this right there for them."

The Rotary Club is expected to spend between $700 and $800 on the project, she said, including the installation materials and the structure itself, which has already been purchased and will soon be decorated. Rotarians are also committed to stocking and maintaining the library, which is expected to go up outside the village hall within the next few weeks, she said.

Rotary Club President David Nutt said the location was chosen for several reasons, including its visibility, accessibility and proximity to some low to middle-income neighborhoods. "One of the primary focuses of our Rotary Club is education, (especially) for youth," he said. "The idea is right in line with what we do. It just made sense."

Able to hold about 70 books, the small library will be filled with both English and Spanish titles for children, adolescents and adults, Rosenthal said. Rotarians have been collecting a variety of books they've amassed from library book sales and donations.

"Our goal is to elevate literacy in a community that desperately needs it," Rosenthal said. "We just want people to read for the pleasure of reading."