To

Mayor and Council

Subject

Little Free Library Donations

Initiator

Parks and Recreation

Recommendation

Authorize the Columbus Parks and Recreation to accept donations in the form of \n \n gift certificates, check, cash, and supplies from sponsors and individuals for \n \n the purpose of purchasing and using supplies for the Free Library Project.

Approval

Pending

Background

Columbus Parks and Recreation Little Library Program to be located in various

parks located in areas of the Columbus community. The program would be a

permanent program with the expected audience being the entire community serving

all ages from birth up.



A Little Free Library is a ?take a book, return a book? free book exchange.

They come in many shapes and sizes, but the most common version is a small

wooden box of books. Anyone may take a book or bring a book to share. Little

Free Library book exchanges have a unique, personal touch. There is an

understanding that real people are sharing their favorite books with their

community; Little Libraries have been called "mini-town squares." Little Free

Libraries offer everyone the opportunity at literacy. It is a chance for kids

to get enthusiastic about finding a ?treasure? of a book every time they visit

a Little Free Library.



Our plan is to have a Little Free Library in every park we have for a total

about 52 Little Free Libraries. We want to begin our program by placing Little

Free Libraries in our parks that have recreation facilities. We will use the

staff and volunteers at the facilities to help maintain the libraries and to

act as ?librarians? for our libraries making sure they stay stocked with lots

of books for people of all ages. We will use old metal newspaper boxes that we

will acquire from the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer to retro into new Little Free

Libraries. We will also be utilizing the carpentry staff of the Columbus Parks

and Recreation Department to build artistic and wooden Little Free Libraries as

well.

Analysis

Donations are needed to sustain this program.

Financial Considerations

Columbus Parks and Recreation provides a site, staff, and administration of the

program. The donations of money and supplies are provided by grants and

sponsors/ individuals.

Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement

None is expected

Legal Considerations

Council must approve the acceptance of these donations.

Recommendations/ Actions

Approve the resolution authorizing Columbus Parks and Recreation to collect

donations for the Free Library Project.

No attachments for this document.