Haddonfield encourages literacy with Little Free Libraries
New houses are popping up on the Central Elementary School side of Haddonfield, but they are more the size of birdhouses; one, looking like a Victorian house, is at the Central Elementary School playground, and the other is at 121 Washington Ave. However, both of these are no birdhouses; they are small homes for books known as Little Free Libraries.
Little Free Libraries are small boxes where visitors can take a book for free, encouraging literacy, and return either the same book or a new book once they are finished. The libraries, though not connected in the beginning, both have the same goal to increase reading and bring the community together.
“I think this is an amazing way to build community and what (teacher) Michelle Chism did in her classroom. What we do in Haddonfield is build a culture and community of families, students and learners. What better way to extend our community than by having this sort of trail from the school to their house (with the Little Free Libraries)?” Central School Principal Shannon Simkus said.
“Little Free Libraries want to encourage literacy, the love of books and neighbors getting to know each other, which are things Haddonfield does,” Washington Avenue library steward Margo Kaplan said.
The Central Elementary School Little Free Library was started as a continuation of the school’s annual fifth-grade class gift. Each year, the fifth-grade class is encouraged to leave something to the school that is meaningful and stays within the Central School community. The 2016 fifth graders decided on the idea of the Little Free Library in memory of beloved kindergarten teacher Michelle Chism.
Chism, touching the lives of many students who walked through the doors of Central Elementary School, passed away last year from cancer. She was well known to be a great teacher, a cheerleader for her students and a lover of learning and literacy. But some of the most important lessons from Chism are ones students will take way beyond the walls of the school, ones that make the community and world a better place.
By giving the Little Free Library to Central School, the Class of 2016 is seeing her memory live on in the lives and hearts of students and the Haddonfield community.
“We chose this because Mrs. Chism taught us a love of reading and spending time with friends. We hope this helps people become more interested in reading and togetherness,” student Caroline Potts said.
The Little Free Library at Central Elementary School, 3 Lincoln Ave., is a Victorian house design to honor the history of the town, spearheaded by parents Leona and Sam McFadden. A plaque on the Little Free Library reads, “No one reads alone,” while the Buddy Bench, created by Girl Scout Troop 30704, next to the library also has a plaque in memory of Chism that reads, “No one plays alone.”
“We put the Buddy Bench and the Little Free Library together because people can take a book and read together. It encourages friendship, and Mrs. Chism would have loved this,” Potts said.
Not initially connected to the Central School, the Kaplan-Gibson family also came up with the idea of adding a Little Free Library to the Haddonfield community. The Gibsons, loving books and being new to the community, saw children walk to and from school in front of their house every day and thought a Little Free Library would be a great addition to the neighborhood.
When they shared their idea with Simkus, both were shocked to find out they were doing the same thing, but also delighted they could share in the experience.
The Washington Avenue Little Free Library will be open to the public on Oct. 9. The Gibsons are hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony in celebration that day at 11 a.m. Everyone is invited to come, have apple cider and donuts and grab a book.
Anyone interested in donating to the libraries may do so, but are asked to drop off the books to the Central School Main Office or the Gibsons’ front porch to get the book stamped, as each Little Free Library has a special stamp on the books belonging to it. The books are for children up to age 12.
“I want to continue to grow our library … And if other people hear about this, I hope they will be inspired to have their own Little Free Library to promote community and literacy within schools and homes,” Simkus said. “I also hope our students will understand this message of giving back and giving, and how important that is to others.”
The Sun heard about another Little Free Library located at Pomona Avenue on the little lane leading to Hutchinson Avenue, built by Wally Holl for his wife Janice. It was installed about two weeks ago. Janice first saw the idea while visiting family in Virginia and wanted to bring it to Haddonfield.
Editor’s Notes: The following article reflects changes for the Washington Avenue address. Please note it is 121 and not 151. Thank you,
