Barrington Scout's project results in little library at Hoffman Estates school

A partnership between a Hoffman Estates school and a Barrington Eagle Scout candidate has resulted in the latest "little free library" and its movement to create a literacy-friendly neighborhood.

Officials at Thomas Jefferson School in Hoffman Estates held a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week for their little library, which was built and mounted by Barrington Scout Jack Purcell.

They now are in the process of registering it with the Little Free Library organization in order to receive its charter, adding it to the more than 36,000 around the world since the movement started in 2009.

"The premise is simple: take a book, leave a book," says Sara Rossi, a reading specialist at Thomas Jefferson who helped spearhead the project.

She points out that the library is intended for the community and not just the students at the school. With its proximity to Pine Park, with its outdoor roller rink, sled hill and playground equipment, she hopes the library might attract more takers.

"When a student can walk down the street to choose a book," Rossi said, "take it home and read it and return it again for another, it's a recipe for growing a love for reading and learning."

Tod Hull of Hudson, Wisconsin, is credited with starting the movement. He built the first model - which looked like a little red schoolhouse - as a tribute to his mother, who was a teacher and loved to read.

Hull partnered with Rich Brooks, an outreach program manager at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, who had seen his creation. Together, they created the mission of the library and within its first three years, it grew to more than 12,000 libraries in 50 countries.

Their website - www.littlefreelibrary.org - gives directions on how to construct a library, but each is unique. They all share the theme of exchanging good books and bringing people together, however.

The opening of the little library at Thomas Jefferson drew a big crowd, which ranged from Hoffman Estates Mayor Bill McLeod and Trustee Michael Gaeta, to Scott Thompson, superintendent of Palatine Township Elementary District 15, and Matt Barbini, deputy superintendent.

"It's all about service," Barbini said of the project, "helping other people and advancing literacy, which are some of our core principals in public education."

Purcell, who is a junior at St. Viator High School, is working to finish a second library, which will be installed in the laundry room of an apartment complex in Rolling Meadows, where some of the Thomas Jefferson students live.

Both are built out of Honduran mahogany, with copper roofing coated with a lacquer that gives it a glossy shine.

"I thought it turned out well, especially after I applied the lacquer," says Purcell, who is a member of Troop 29, based at St. Anne School in Barrington.

As a center on the St. Viator varsity basketball team, Purcell says he originally thought of a sport-related theme for his Eagle Scout project.

"I had thought about collecting sports equipment for underserved children, but when I heard about this, I thought it was great.

"I like building things," he adds, "and I thought it was a great opportunity for children to love books - and promote literacy."

The principal at Thomas Jefferson, Larry Sasso, credited Rossi and Purcell with helping to change the lives of children - and their communities.

"Not only will this project encourage a love of reading," Sasso said, "it will also promote a wonderful sense of community."