Little Free Libraries in VaHi – Second in a Series
by Robin Ragland
Many of the Little Free Libraries in our neighborhood have their own charming stories. For those of you who missed the first article in this series, a Little Free Library operates on the concept of a “take a book, return a book” gathering place where neighbors share their favorite literature and stories.
The second neighborhood Little Free Library (LFL) on our tour around the neighborhood is at 629 Cooledge Ave. It belongs to Nan and Bob Safay. They have thoroughly enjoyed the experience for over a year-and-a-half.
Says Nan, “We first heard of it on the VHList. Someone out running posted that they were seeing little houses as they were exercising and wondered what they were. Someone else responded with only the words ‘Little Free Libraries’. Since ‘free’ and ‘library’ are two of our favorite words, we did some research, and 6 months later had one in our front yard.”
What makes Nan and Bob’s library particularly endearing is that it’s dedicated to a special person–Millie Brown (see the plaque on the side of the library in the photo).
Since the library is so close to the Beltline and Piedmont Park, lots of folks on their way to events take books. But the Safays do wake up at times to find their LFL completely filled with books, CDs, and DVDs from a generous donor. Bob and Nan also replenish their library by buying books from a local thrift store because the library is only 50-60% self-sustaining. (If you have unused books lying around, consider adding them to a Little Free Library).
Like many others who start a LFL, Bob and Nan initially stocked their library with extra books they had around the house. They are also patrons of their own Little Free Library, and have been pleased to find a few treasures, such as a Bobsey Twins book that made its way onto a shelf of their ‘inside’ library. They also have assistance with their library. “We have a lady who stops on her walks and organizes the library, and I am grateful for it. I am sure she was a librarian”.
Whereas our first article described how the biggest users of the Sandmans’ library were neighboring children, it is service people who are the most engaged browsers and users of the Safays’ library.
“This is very gratifying to us,” says Nan, “because they provide service to us and this is a nice way to say thank you. Our mail lady looks in it quite often and drops books as well as taking them. Our yard service people, who are Hispanic, thank us every time they get into the library. They particularly like National Geographic Magazines because, they tell me, it helps them with their English–they associate the text with the pictures. Our garbage and recycle folks, the Comcast van, the Georgia Power truck, even this group laying cable right now, all come to the library–now how cool is that! ”
Nan and Bob find, to their surprise, that how-to books and reference books seem to be the favorite genre of their patrons. “How to garden, how to start a salt water aquarium, how to write a resume, all kinds of things, appear and disappear quickly. Dictionaries, thesauruses, and medical pharmaceuticals are gone almost overnight! Action/adventure books such as Tom Clancy are also pretty popular.”
At times, they receive a special request for a special genre. A young girl asked recently why they don’t have more children’s books in their Cooledge LFL. They’re not as familiar with young children’s literature, so they invite neighbors to help them offer a selection for children 10 and younger.
I hope you have enjoyed learning about Bob and Nan Safay’s LFL. I had one person send a note after the first story, wanting to know if a city permit is required to establish a library. No permit is required as long as it is placed on the private-property side of your sidewalk.
Have a library? Feel free to contact me at [email protected] so I can share your story as part of the series.
Robin Ragland is a longtime resident of this neighborhood.