26 MARCH 2025 By Cliff Summerhill A charming and heartwarming phenomenon in neighborhoods across the country, little free libraries aim to foster a sense of community, make books accessible to everyone, and encourage reading in children and adults. Wisconsinite Todd H. Bol founded the first Little Free Library (LFL) in 2009 as a way to honor his mother, a schoolteacher and lifelong reader. This small book exchange sparked a global movement, with the concept of “take a book, share a book” quickly resonating with neighbors and inspiring Todd’s vision to spread Little Free Libraries worldwide. By the time of his passing in 2018, over 75,000 were registered across 88 countries. Since then, that number has grown to 150,000 libraries – over 1,000 of which are right here in the Valley. “Our inspiration for creating the library came from a love of books and a desire to encourage reading in our neighborhood,” Arcadian Jenna Hilton said. The Hiltons were inspired to build a LFL during the isolation everyone was experiencing a few years back. The family took daily bike rides down Lafayette, stopping by a neighbor’s library. “At a time when we were all so separated, it felt like a small but meaningful way to connect. That experience stayed with us, and we knew we wanted to create that same sense of community and sharing in our own space,” Hilton said. The community’s response has been amazing, with friends and family stopping by regularly, kids excited to find new books, and readers leaving behind a diverse selection. Hilton said one of her favorite parts of owning a LFL is adding her monthly book club picks and being surprised by some of the unexpected gems that arrive. “It’s a joy to see how the books change over time and know that people are finding stories that resonate with them,” she said. Hilton advises anyone starting a library to “keep it simple, be patient, and embrace the community aspect.” “This isn’t just about books; it’s about the connections and joy it brings to everyone who participates,” she said. Sarah Pyper’s Little Free Library was inspired by her granddaughter, Margot, a Hopi first grader. After watching Margot develop a love for reading, Pyper decided to have a library made for her as a birthday gift. “My hope is that it will engage her and encourage a love of books and also bring the neighborhood together as a fun connector for families,” Pyper said. What started as a gift soon turned into a two-person project as Pyper collaborated with a retired neighbor – with a passion for woodworking – to bring the vision to life. The design process included some special touches, like Margot’s request for a golden butterfly doorknob, which was kindly gifted by neighbor Miss Sharon, who leads a book club in the area. The whole thing came together in less than four weeks. Since then, the library has received many contributions – mostly children’s books, but Pyper and her grandchildren are excited to see how it evolves. “Margot mentioned transforming the library into a pantry to help people who need food or water bottles,” Pyper said. “The most important thing to remember is that we are a community, and all need each other.” Whether it’s the Hilton family library, which became a symbol of resilience and connection, or Pyper’s heartfelt project to support her granddaughter’s love of reading, these little libraries are much more than charming structures. They foster a sense of belonging, encourage literacy, and bring joy to everyone involved. littlefreelibrary.org How ‘take a book, share a book’ became a national phenomenon A FEW OF ARCADIA’S LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES : JOHN MORGAN 4528 N. 40th Pl., Phoenix Charter #182747 BEVERLY ROBB 3139 N. 36th St., Phoenix Charter #120115 JERRY SUMMERS 4335 E. Turney Ave., Phoenix Charter #56444 MONICA LOU 4915 N. 45th Pl., Phoenix Charter #101106 MISSY THOMAS 4549 E. Montecito Ave., Phoenix Charter #33982 PYPER LITTLE LIBRARY 4722 E. Virginia Ave. Phoenix DEBBIE LEBLANC 5383 E. Rockridge Rd., Phoenix Charter #53790 MARVIN FAMILY LITTLE FREE LIBRARY 4101 N. 52nd Pl., Phoenix Charter #160369 WILLIAM JANIGA 5524 Lafayette Blvd., Phoenix Charter #4412 LITTLE FREE LIBRARY 5528 E. Calle Ventura, Phoenix Charter #180010 CHRISTINE BRICK 6220 E. Calle Redonda, Scottsdale Charter #53432 MARY’S LITTLE FREE LIBRARY 3927 N. 62nd St., Scottsdale Charter #178499 RONAK, MANOLI, AND ANSHUL KAPADIA 5433 E. Cheery Lynn Rd., Phoenix Charter #32215 HILLARY’S NEIGHBORHOOD LIBRARY 5518 E. Avalon Dr., Phoenix Charter #123157 LOWEY LITTLE LIBRARY 4920 E. Osborn Rd., Phoenix Charter #89667 For more information or to find a map of these libraries, visit littlefreelibrary.org

27 MARCH 2025