Building a Little Free Library from Reclaimed Materials

 Day 1

 We went to the Upstate Vintage Flea Market today where I found this very sad looking old toy chest for just $2. Soon it will be transformed into a Little Free Library for our yard. Some planks from wood pallets, leftover house paint, and other fun touches will transform this ugly duckling into something special. Here are some pictures:

 

 

There were SO many staples holding this vinyl on to the door!

 

 

Tom and Ben took existing wood pallets we had and broke them apart for the planks. Ben then removed all of the nails and measured the planks.

 

Wood planks from the pallets were measured, cut, and nailed to cover the shell of the old toy chest.

Day 2 -- So much sanding!

Then I caulked. LOTS of caulk was used to ensure that the books will not get wet when it rains or snows.

I painted the library next:

Then, I had to tackle the door. I primed and painted it black and added a crystal door knob, which was leftover from when I changed out knobs in the bathroom.

Follow Me On My Little Free Library Journey!

I have been an avid reader for as long as I can remember. One of my earliest memories is of sitting at the bottom of the stairs at our old white house on Cuyler Street in Palmyra. We moved away from that house the spring before I turned 4. At the bottom of those stairs sat a wooden bookshelf of Little Golden Books.

As a seven year old, I fondly remember my second grade teacher, Mr. Cooley, reading the class James and the Giant Peach. Reading class was my favorite for many years in school -- and I will never forget the books that moved me the most, such as Sounder, The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, and Brian's Song. So many books have stayed with me -- To Kill a Mockingbird and Ryan White: My Own Story among them.

I would spend my allowance at Waldenbooks and B. Dalton Booksellers at Eastview Mall. I loved the Nancy Drew Files. I would lose myself in a book late into the night for as long as I can remember.

Growing up, I loved my trips to the library and to say "Hello" to our community librarian, Mrs. Nash. The library has always held a special place in my heart. My great grandmother, Sarah Ziegler, was an integral part King's Daughters' Free Library in Palmyra, and she ran its historical department. Here is a picture of her from 1939 at the library:

As a child, I would choose books from the front room of the library (the children's area) and then sit and hide under the library's massive weeping willow tree. Libraries -- and books -- are just as important to our family now.

I started reading to my boys in the womb (seriously) and their days were filled with me reading to them. We'd read during the day. We'd read at bedtime. They are both avid readers.

When my boys (16 and 18) were little, we would visit the two former Irondequoit Public Library branches and attend story time at both the Evans and McGraw branches. After the new library was built, Nick (18) would declare it his home away from home. He became a Summer Reading Program volunteer, teen tech tutor, Teen Book Festival volunteer, and student member of the Library Board of Trustees. He is employed as a library page and has worked there for more than 2 years and still helps with offering his tech tutoring to seniors twice a week.

I just can't imagine NOT having books at my bedside or next to me in the living room -- or seeing books in my children's rooms. As you can tell, we love our books here in this house -- and that is one reason I wanted to start a Little Free Library. There is a quote that I love from Stephen King that says "Books are a uniquely portable magic." I believe this to be true. I want to share that magic here in our community with our neighbors of all ages.

My Little Free Library charter sign has been ordered and I just need to FIND the perfect materials to build a reclaimed Little Free Library of my own.

Stay tuned!