Visit any neighborhood public library and you’re not likely to find fairy tales shelved with mysteries, humor next to fantasy, and science fiction mixed with children’s literature.
The new library on Bernadotte Street in Virginia Beach is the exception.
At its unveiling May 18, this new Little Free Library (LFL) had copies of The Lorax, Divergent, Winnie the Pooh, Where the Wild Things Are and Where the Red Fern Grows along with 51 additional titles all stacked within the library’s single shelf ̶ a space measuring approximately five square feet.
However, the LFL’s inventory is expected to change as quickly as the Kemps Landing/Old Donation School (KLODS) eighth-graders stocked it. That’s the goal, according to eighth-grade student Evelyn Murray who helped introduce the new library during a school celebration.
Murray told the audience that the Little Free Library is a “take-a-book, return-a-book gathering place where neighbors share their favorite stories and literature.”
“In its most basic form,” she explained, “a Little Free Library is a box full of books where anyone in the community may stop by and pick up a book and return it, as well as bring back their own books to share.”
After noting that such libraries are registered in all 50 U.S. states and more than 40 countries, Murray announced to the audience, “We are excited to add another Little Free Library to the map in honor of the teachers and students in our community who love to read.”
The students’ selection of books for the new LFL was not random. As part of the Heroic Books Project KLODS eighth-grade English teachers Adrian Hayes and Karen Luecke facilitate, students spent months researching and selecting books they believe best teach to young readers the values of heroism, leadership and citizenship.
“Our students spend their eighth-grade year in English exploring the concepts of the heroic figure in literature,” explained Hayes.
Hayes and Leuke were awarded a Virginia Beach Education Foundation (VBEF) grant funded by Jake’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que to support the innovative learning project, including the purchase of materials to construct the LFL.
Library design and construction was student-centered as well. “Students wrote a proposal for their idea, figured out a budget and explained how they’d source the materials. They drew the design to scale like blueprints,” said Hayes.
“It was hard to choose one [of the 20 proposals],” admitted Hayes, “but Natalie [Kasmarek] and Corey [Comba] really impressed us with their artistic vision, their preparation and their attention to detail.”
Before the student team’s turquoise-painted library with bamboo roof was ready for its first book, KLODS eighth-graders wanted to hear from younger readers they hoped would visit the LFL with family and friends.
They conducted small-group interviews with KLODS fifth-graders to learn more about their reading interests and the book needs of the community.
“It was never quieter in this cafeteria than the day the eighth-graders interviewed fifth-graders. They were all so interested in the discussion,” said Luecke.
Next, the eighth-graders researched and wrote essays about the books they thought best represented the heroic ideal and presented their work to convince peers and younger students that their selected books belonged in the LFL. After reviewing all of the options, KLODS fifth-graders and eighth-graders voted to determine the books to share with the community.
Eighth-grader Alexa Garcia’s book, The School of Possibilities by Seth Parkkola, was among those chosen. “The main character is very relatable to a wide range of kids. He’s going through a rebellious stage, and he’s having trouble with his parents,” Garcia explained.
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn was recommended by eighth-grader Katie O’Connell. This children’s story about a baby raccoon worried about going to school for the first time led O’Connell to research separation anxiety in children. “Love and compassion are important,” she said. “I researched studies that show love and compassion help children’s brains to grow.”
Both Joseph Mastrullo and Julia McCullough identified The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein as a must-have book for the new LFL. “The heroic ideals taught in The Giving Tree are universal…the Little Free Library would be incomplete without it,” the eighth graders posted on their book’s display board.
“I recommended The Giving Tree because it shaped my childhood. It is the first book I ever read. It taught me about love, compassion and generosity,” recalled Mastrullo.
McCullough also has fond memories of the tale. “It was my favorite book as a child, and I enjoy reading it now,” she said. “I can see the deeper meaning about friendship and sacrifice and giving the others.”
The Giving Tree was one of the books Princess Anne Elementary School (PAES) students Henna Patel and Emma Whitehurst endorsed following their walkabout of the various display boards. On the day of the Little Free Library’s unveiling, PAES fourth graders were invited to KLODS to hear eighth-graders talk about the books that would be available.
“Divergent,” responded Patel and Whitehurst in unison to the question of which book they would select to read first.
The two bantered like talk show hosts as they shared their thoughts about the displays and the new Little Free Library.
“Divergent is interesting, and I’ve seen the movie. Well, part of the movie,” said Patel.
“People aren’t afraid to be different,” added Whitehurst about Divergent’s storyline. She’s seen the movie as well and looks forward to reading the book.
“Their posters are so realistic,” said Patel of the older students’ display boards. “They explained the book really well.”
“Yes,” agreed Whitehurst, “like The Fault in Our Stars board. It is so realistic with the characters and everything.”
“And all of the eighth graders are really friendly,” interjected Patel. “And so confident,” added Whitehurst. “You should tell them they did a really good job.”
Will Whitehurst and Patel visit the new LFL around the corner from their elementary school?
“Yes,” Patel says immediately.
Whitehurst will, too. “I know we’re going to use it because my brother is in first grade and loves to read. I do, too,” she says.
“I have two whole boxes of books that I’ve read, and I can donate those to the library,” Whitehurst adds. “Wait, can it ever get full?”
Virtually every inch was full was after the eighth-graders stacked their books in the LFL at its ceremonial unveiling. Each student adhered a bookplate to inside the front cover that identified who donated the book and how it emulated the heroic ideal.
Eighth grader John Wong assured PAES fourth graders that the rules for using the new library on Bernadotte Street are simple.
“You just walk up, look at all the different books, and pick a book or two that grabs your interest. Take it home and read it as slowly or quickly as you want,” said Wong. “When you’re finished, you put it back. Or maybe you pass it along to another friend in the community. When you come to the library, it’s great if you also bring a book to share, perhaps one from your own collection that you are finished reading and would like others to enjoy.”
Wong added, “You can’t ‘steal’ from the Little Free Library because all of the books are free for the taking. The only ‘rule’ is that you keep up the reading and sharing so everyone can enjoy the library.”
The community began to enjoy the library immediately, according to Hayes, who checked the library the following day at her students’ request. “I went out and counted, and about 20 books had left, and two more books had been donated by the community,” said Hayes. “Within 24 hours, the neighborhood was already getting into the Little Free Library spirit, and our students were just beaming when I told them.”
“When kids get excited about their learning, their work, and their contribution to the community,” Hayes added, “nothing is better than that!
To read about more innovative learning projects supported by Virginia Beach Education Foundation grants or to learn how you can support the foundation, visit vbef.org.