[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he dream of extending the Kyle Public Library beyond its physical structure on Scott Street is now a reality.
Earlier this month, four Little Free Libraries were installed and open across Kyle.
More than 50,000 Little Free Libraries exist across the word in 70 countries from Iceland to Pakistan, according to Jane Ray, librarian at the Kyle Public Library.
Now, Kyle residents can “take a book, leave a book” at their own LFLs in Steeplechase Park, Gregg-Clarke Park, Lake Kyle and the Historic Kyle Depot.
Although they typically exist as small, front-yard book exchanges owned and operated by private citizens, the Kyle Public Library teamed up with the Parks and Recreation Department to create and maintain four Little Free Libraries as a new city program. Ray said the library has sought ways to reach out to people and “meet people where they are, not just expect them to come to us.”
“I’ve always been kind of fascinated by the idea of communities gathering around books and the way that most Little Free Libraries run is by individuals in a community, and I wanted to take that one step further and create a larger community within the city of Kyle,” Ray said.
The physical libraries were funded by a grant from the Texas State Libraries and Archive Commission. Members of the Parks and Recreation Department built the structures and will maintain their physical wellbeing while the Kyle Public Library is charged with ensuring they maintain a quality selection of books.
While the libraries maintain the “take a book, leave a book” concept, Rand said the library realizes the libraries “need to be stocked” initially. The library plans to stock them with donated books from its collection.
“For example, we have a lot of paperbacks that were donated, a lot of duplicates that were donated, some we give to our thrift store and some we give away to our tour prizes when we have events at the library and then others will make their way to our Little Free Libraries,” Ray said.
Ray said the city was strategic in its decisions on the locations for the LFLs as they aimed to maximize usage and meet citizens where they naturally are on a day-to-day basis.
“We were also very conscious about putting two over on the east side, because due to the location of the library, a lot of people because of transportation reasons and economic factors … just can’t physically come to the library.”
Jane Ray, librarian at the Kyle Public Library
Although the concept behind LFLs is for people to leave behind a book of their own when they take one for themselves, it’s okay for people to use it even if they can’t immediately donate a book, Ray said.
“You don’t have to leave a book to take a book, but that’s kind of the idea behind it,” she said. “And even if you can’t do it right away, people know ‘hey this is a place I can take reading material.’ We just want to share books and encourage people to read.”
Ray said the second phase of the city’s Little Free Library plan is underway, although it isn’t necessarily city-led. A local Eagle Scout plans to find local business owners to agree to have and maintain Little Free Libraries in their establishments. Locations for the second phase have not yet been finalized, Ray said.
“Together we’re really tackling it from all sides,” she said. “Little Free Libraries are a great way to spread books and a love for reading all around the city.”
Kyle City Manager Scott Sellers said he has seen the impact of LFLs as city manager in other places in the past, and is excited that Kyle has joined the initiative. He said in his experience, citizens have taken well to the structures and are respectful of the books in them.
“The Little Free Library program is a great way to get books into the hands of our citizens,” Sellers said. “I have personally experienced the positive benefits of the Little Free Libraries and seen their positive impact on neighborhoods.”
