Girl Scouts bring Little Lending Library to Round Lake
Next to a bench under a tree in Heron View Park stands a new Little Lending Library.
Girl Scout Cadette Troop 41079 members earned their Silver Award Sunday, Oct. 11, when they dedicated their Little Lending Library to Heron View Park in Round Lake. The Silver Award is the highest award a Cadette Girl Scout can earn.
"It gives us a chance to show that we are leaders who are organized, determined and dedicated to improve our community" Scout Angelina Allen said.
"The troop saw a need in the community for children and adults to have easier access to books," Scout Alycia Gauna said.
There aren't sidewalks that lead all the way to local libraries. "By building the Little Lending Library, the troop hopes to promote literacy and a love for the outdoors," Alycia said.
"A Little Lending Library is a free library" that operates on the principal of "take a book, leave a book," said Scout Olivia Davis. Anybody is welcome to borrow a book and it is stocked with books for all ages.
A lot of leadership was involved in implementing the Little Library. The Scouts partnered with the Volo Home Depot, which generously donated all of the materials for the project. Ron from the Home Depot acted as a project adviser, lending his expert advice and teaching the Scouts the skills needed to build the library.
Each Scout did a lot of research on building the library prior to starting the project. Individually, the girls came up with a design for the library then collaborated with each other to come up with one final design.
The girls were very passionate about their project. They wanted to make sure the library was safe by providing a plexiglass door, and built properly so it would be sustainable during any season.
The troop hooked up with The Little Free Library Network, whose philosophy is to promote a love for reading and literacy by building free book exchanges worldwide. Once registered with the organization, the library is put on a world map so anyone looking for a Little Lending Library can find one.
The troop partnered with the Round Lake Park District, which allowed them to place the library in Heron View Park. Through signs, fliers, social media and word-of-mouth, the girls spread the word about the library.
With the Little Lending Library in the background, the Scouts read stories to new and old friends who sat on blankets under the trees eating cookies and drinking lemonade during the dedication.
The troop hopes the neighborhood will welcome The Little Free Library and make it part of their community.
"It was so exciting to see people lined up to look in the library. I saw a mom sitting in the grass reading to her two children. I looked around and knew we had done a good thing," Scout Katie Ramirez said.