When my sister-in-law sent me news clipping about communities setting up these Free Little Libraries in their small neighborhoods, I knew right away Cooleemee had to have one.

The library belongs to everyone; neighbors, friends, people who pass by, and all ages. This library is a way to share good things to read. It’s basically a free book exchange; take a book, return a book.   

The three shelves will have books that you would recommend, childhood books and books that teach and intrigue.

Just stop by, browse through a book and see if you would like to read it. Take it and read it. Look and see who read the book or gave it and when you’re finished, you could leave a special note.

Pass the book to a friend or return it to any Free Little Library.

There are no fees and no rules.

Maybe there is an elderly person living on your street, this would be a great way to choose a book for them. Your relationship would be enhanced and your neighbor would feel more connected to the community.

These are popping up all over the world. There is even a world map that shows specific locations of each registered library and many travelers seek them out to take their picture beside it.

The international movement that began in 2009 has helped thoughtful book lovers establish more than 20,000 libraries around the world.

You don’t have to custom build one, the organization has kits you can purchase with all you need to build one. When you go to their website, you see shapes, sizes and personality touches that will help you decide what you want to do for your neighborhood.

On the corner of Mitchell Avenue in Salisbury, I saw one that really appealed to me. I took a picture of it and began my journey to find someone who would be willing to share their time and talent for the project.

A suggestion came across Facebook for me to call Den Grubb.

Grubb has a special place in his heart for children and he didn’t hesitate to take on the project.

I gathered old wood I had at my Treehouse, including an old window that my next-door neighbors, Dennis and Parris Whitley, graciously gave to me.

Saving the tongue and groove cedar slats that lined my closets was well worth the care we took at removing them during remodeling. Old beaded board was part of the construction; Grubb planed it some and used the reverse side.

It’s rewarding to take old wood that many would toss away and turn it into a masterpiece. That’s exactly what Grubb did.   

I was going to paint it white with a tin roof, but when I saw the beauty of the wood when it was assembled, I decided to enhance it all with polyurethane.

Grubb is well known as a top-notch builder and now he will be known as a superb a Free Little library builder.

Thank you so much for sharing your time and talent for the kids of Cooleemee and anyone else who has a chance to stop by and get a book.

Go to www.littlefreelibrary.org for more information.

The Free Little Library will be at 276 Marginal St., next to the sidewalk beside the magnolia tree. A ribbon cutting with refreshments is scheduled for Aug. 1 at 3 p.m.  Hope to see you there.

Feel free to contact me at  www.cooleemeenews@gmail.com or 336.250.1133.