KYLE — When 7-year-old Grady Shanks visited a Little Free Library for the first time, he was completely enamored with what they meant — helping others. So much so, that he knew he wanted to build one himself.
Grady, a Cub Scout in Pack 812, recalled the first time he visited a little library during a meet, revealing that he liked how it brought community members together and that it was fun to get books: “I’ve seen them in other neighborhoods before, so I wanted to see if I could make one. So, I asked my mom.”
His mother, Candice Shanks, explained that because they live in Kensington Trails, they had to approach the Homeowners Association Board to present the idea.
“The board was very taken back that he had thought of that idea and that he wanted to share it with the community and they were very eager to do it,” said Candice.
After, Grady and his grandpa, known as Pawpaw, began to get to work over the summer of 2023.
Pawpaw lives two hours away, said Candice, so every couple of weeks, Grady would spend a week with him, where the two would design and build the library from scratch.
The Cub Scout noted that this was a special memory for him and that it was a lot of fun: “We had to keep trying and trying [to get it right].”
Finally, after several months, the project was completed and installed at the Kensington Trails pool in September 2023, where a grand opening, filled with Cub Scouts and community members, was held.
“I feel like it was inspiring that he felt like he can do that,” said Candice.
Grady estimated that more than 90 books were donated for the library that day.
Although he was happy at the outcome of the library, Grady also explained that he now had a new job — Little Free Library Steward — which requires him to check on the build and restock it when needed.
“The door fell off one time,” said Grady, which his Pawpaw promptly fixed.
The project, which was a lot of hard work, is special to Grady, as he hopes that others can “learn how to read” because he enjoys it himself, especially “Dog Man” and “Captain Underpants,” which have been spotted at the new Little Free Library.
For those that may believe that reading is not something they enjoy, Grady encourages them to try: “Sometimes you can feel surprised when you read a book.”
“[The Little Free Library] is for everyone … Well, except for dogs,” laughed Grady.
In addition to books, Candice stated that education games, flash cards and even puzzles have also been left in the building for those who may not have access otherwise.
The Cub Scout hopes that in the future, he can continue to aid community members, whether that be building more libraries in other neighborhoods that don’t have them or giving out food for homeless individuals with his pack.
Grady’s Little Free Library is located at 700 Downing Way in Kyle. For more information on it and other libraries in the area, community members can download the “Little Free Library” app, where they can check in and report damages. Book donations can be made by emailing Candice at cdshanks90@gmail.com.
