By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
MELVINDALE – Food for the mind is now available at Cardinal Park, home of the Farmer’s Market, through the Downtown Development Authority’s installation of the city’s first Little Free Library.
The hinged box, mounted on a pole, likened to a bird feeder, allows people to borrow books and return them at will, and to donate books as well. The informal, worldwide moment is meant to encourage easier access to reading materials. For more information, go to littlefreelibrary.org.
The white receptacle is decorated with cardinals hand-painted by artist Darin Martin, who painted the mural at the city library.
She said City Councilmen Carl Louvet and David Cybulski volunteered to install the Lilliputian library, which was christened Sept. 28 with seasonal showers, demonstrating it’s ability to keep books dry.
DDA Director Susan Louvet said her familiarity with Little Free Libraries in Allen Park encouraged her to approach the DDA to fund the city’s inaugural installation.
She said the concept is that of a free lending library.
“We encourage everybody to bring a book and take a book,” Louvet said, “so that you are replacing the book that you take, so it will always be stocked with books.”
Louvet said it is a great neighborhood concept for children who don’t have a library card or who can’t get to the library.
“It’s right by both schools, so I believe a lot of children will walk past it on their way to and from school,” Louvet said.
She said she hopes the residents at Coogan Terrace, a public housing development with senior and assisted living options, also will take advantage of the the library’s proximity.
(Sue Suchyta can be reached at [email protected])