Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to build community, inspire readers and expand book access to readers of all ages. Gentle said she loves the sign that welcomes community members to the library because of the little phrase it includes: “Read it, Love it, Share it.”īoggs said that she refills the library at least once a week, and she makes sure that all books include a bookmark that gives information about Bethany UCC. Since the Little Free Library is a community book exchange, anytime someone wants to donate a book, they can leave it in the library for someone else to enjoy.įor larger donations, community members can leave books at the door of Bethany UCC. Naish said the library offers books that appeal to all ages.Ĭongregation member and retired school librarian Norma Boggs said she wanted to look into partnering with local schools to get book suggestions for young readers.Ĭongregation member and Little Free Library steward Karen Gentle said community members can donate books to the church’s collection. “I love when people find anything I do useful,” De Jesus said.īethany UCC Pastor Kathy Naish’s granddaughter was the first library visitor. He said that it makes him happy to see something he built being used by the community. De Jesus also enjoys woodworking, leather work and computer programming. The library is located at the church’s drive-thru circle so people can pull up and select a title from the collection of books.ĭe Jesus, who is from Puerto Rico, said he learned to build items, such as the little library, from techniques passed down by his father who worked in construction. Members of the congregation started bringing in books long before the library opened.ĭe Jesus said the church is planning to add a sign for the little library so that community members will know where people can pick up free books. The congregation’s reaction to the Little Free Library has been good, DeJesus said. Each Little Free Library is registered and users can navigate an entire global network of small community libraries through the website,. He said he wanted to make the library resemble a tiny church. He said he found the Little Free Library online and he designed the church’s own with plywood, acrylic and shingles. There is a new Little Free Library at a church in Claremont, thanks in part to the work of José De Jesus.ĭe Jesus is a retired pastor and a member of Bethany United Church of Christ. Pastor Kathy Naish and José De Jesus stand with members of the congregation on the opening day of the church’s Little Free Library. Pastor Kathy Naish of Bethany United Church of Christ cuts the ribbon to open the church’s Little Free Library. José De Jesus stands next to the Little Free Library that he constructed for community members to use at Bethany United Church of Christ. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter.