Frenchglen now has its own library – a Little Free Library!

Little Free Libraries are hand-crafted structures filled with constantly changing collections of books donated and shared by people of all ages and backgrounds. Most Little Free Libraries are placed in front yards, parks, gardens, and easily accessible locations. The libraries are built to withstand weather of all kinds and hold 20-100 books. A Little Free Library is a “take a book, return a book” free book exchange. Anyone may take a book or bring a book to share.

As of June 2016, there are more than 40,000 registered Little Free Library book exchanges in all 50 U.S. states and over 70 countries around the world. Add to that total one more, located at the Frenchglen Hotel.

In March, the first Little Free Library in Harney County was installed outside the Grand Café at Harney District Hospital. That library and the new one in Frenchglen were constructed by the shop class at Oregon Youth Authority, led by teacher, Shawn Horrell.

Little Free Library is a nationwide program supported locally by the Harney County Library Advisory Board and Foundation. They are still looking for people to build, paint, and/or decorate a library, donate books or money for the project, or become a steward, someone who is responsible for an individual library. Call 541-573-6670 for more information or email cheryl@harneycountylibrary.org.

What a great way to support literacy and the love of reading! And a fun way to create a place where neighbors can share stories! Stop by a Little Free Library and check out the books. If you see something you would like to read, take it. Return it to the Little Free Library or pass it on to a friend and return a different book. Anyone can use this library. It belongs to everybody.