Reading is power! And who doesn’t want some power these days?

Two new Little Free Libraries have been established to promote just that kind of power. Stone Park at the entrance to the center and Price Hill Park at the playground now boast brand new beautifully painted libraries — perfect miniatures of big libraries — libraries that house books for both adults and children.

Hurray for the Oxford Park Commission which authorized the building and placing of the libraries and which agrees to maintain the structures. Director Seth Gaines has been excited about the idea since the first LFL was established last fall in Avent Park. And we thank volunteer Julien Tatum for building both new structures and artists Michelle West Stuber and Claire Whitehurst for decorating them.

Check out the locations of all three and check out the contents as well.  Groups are committed to restocking Oxford’s LFLs each week, so whenever you visit a LFL you should find something interesting to suit your desire for reading power. The instructions are simple: take a book, leave a book or donate a book.

Little Free Libraries are taking the country by storm. The first one was established in Hudson, Wisconsin, in memory of a woman who was a school teacher and book lover.  Originally the goal was 2,150 LFLs, to surpass the number of libraries founded by Andrew Carnegie. As of June 1, there were over 36,000 registered LFLs worldwide.

Let’s set a goal for Oxford: LFLs in all city parks and as many other locations as we can think of and build structures for. We hear there are other little libraries scattered around town, so let us know the locations and we’ll include them in future Reading is Power stories. You can find registered LFLs and ideas for starting one in your neighborhood on the official website, littlefreelibrary.org.

Ann G. O’Dell

Oxford