Blawnox encourages residents of all ages to pick up a good book at its new Little Free Library
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From Dr. Seuss to James Patterson, Blawnox residents have access to a revolving list of good reads at the borough’s new Little Free Library along Freeport Road.
Borough officials gathered Oct. 29 near the Veteran’s Memorial to celebrate the opening of the 2-foot-by-2-foot box filled with free books for all ages.
“We are very excited, as this has been a yearslong process,” borough Manager Kathy Ulanowicz said. “We are now able to offer selections for children, teens and adults, and we’re proud to be on the map with a Little Free Library.”
Founded in 2009, the LFL program was born in Hudson, Wis., when Todd Bol built a miniature one-room schoolhouse as a tribute to his mother, a teacher.
The do-it-yourself project inspired an international book-sharing mission aimed at nurturing literacy and unity.
There are now more than 100,000 Little Free Libraries, with boxes in all 50 states and in 90 countries around the globe.
According to the group’s website, book access matters because children who live in homes without books are about three years behind kids with books.
The Blawnox library was constructed with the help of Heather Husband, an LFL liaison. The cost was about $200. It is painted bright blue and gold, the borough’s colors, and was constructed with a pitched roof for more room and a motion-activated LED light.
Councilwoman Katie Coban said she was thrilled to cut the ribbon on the new amenity after working so long to bring the project to residents.
Already, response has been overwhelming, with Coban saying her front porch is overflowing with donated books. She has volunteered to keep the box maintained in the coming years.
“We just want to get books to everyone,” she said.
To donate, either drop off books at the municipal office, 376 Freeport Road, or call 412-828-4141 for alternate arrangements.