OSCODA COUNTY – A Little Free Library is a ‘take a book, return a book’ free book exchange. In its most basic form, it’ a wooden box of books where anyone may pick up a book or two, or bring a book to share. Most Little Libraries have books for all ages and some even have free items to share such as bookmarks, pencils and holiday themed items.
Oscoda County has four Little Free Libraries. The first was installed at the Skyline Event Center and they have two; one inside and one outside on the porch of the little cabin. The outside one was made by M33 Woodworks and Susan Shantz painted quilt blocks on it.
‘The Little Free Libraries are always open, books for all ages are always available and you don’t need a library card. Books are available to everyone and we encourage visitors to the area to stop by and pick out a book or two,’ Shantz said.
She has also had donations of books from avid readers and the Habitat ReStore.
Multiple businesses and organizations are participating as well.
Randy Shantz found a bookcase at a junk shop and installed it at the entrance to Comins Market. He put a glass door on it to protect the books. He says people stop and browse on their way in and out of the store and has had customers drop off books to keep the shelves full for others.
Keith Miller built a two-door library for Elmer Township Hall. His wife Sharon is the steward and keeps it stocked with books. Marty Galbraith, township supervisor, says the location is great because of the foot and bicycle traffic.
‘There are usually people sitting on the flowerbed frames reading and we have a good turnover of books.’ He stated that the Little Free Library was good for the community and they view it as an asset for the area residents and visitors,’ Miller said.
The Mio Bridge Club set up a bookshelf in the entrance to Family Fare in Mio and shoppers can ‘Take a book, leave a book’ while running errands.
Anyone may contribute or take books. The more the merrier! If you take a book (or two) from a Library, you do not need to return that exact book. However, in order to keep the Little Library full of good choices for the whole neighborhood, the next time you swing by the Library bring a few books to share. Little Library book exchanges function on the honor system; everyone contributes to ensure there are always quality books inside.
There are over 50,000 registered Little Free Library book exchanges in all 50 U.S. states and over 70 countries around the world. There are many unregistered Little Libraries too.
You can visit them at the following locations:
Timberland Little Free Library #33,935 at Skyline Event Center, 3309 N Abbe Rd, Comins, MI
Comins Market, 4203 N Abbe Rd, Comins, MI
Elmer Township Hall, 863 W. Kittle Rd, Mio, MI
Family Fare, Morenci Street, Mio, MI
You can learn more about the Little Free Library organization on the web at: https://littlefreelibrary.org/ or call Susan Shantz at 989-848-5757 to find out how you can be the steward of your own Little Free Library!
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