Greenbelt’s newest Little Free Library will celebrate its grand opening at Mowatt Memorial United Methodist Church (MUMC) this weekend. At littlefreelibrary.org, the Mowatt site is described as “primarily a religious library … includ[ing] a variety of books, activities and periodicals.”
Greenbelter Ellen Noll, lay leader at Mowatt, explained, “My motivation for opening a Little Free Library at Mowatt MUMC was the closing of the church [during quarantine]. We have fabulous resources in our library. Better to have them out and used than sequestered for no one to see.” Noll is familiar with the other Little Free Libraries in Greenbelt: “I check [them] out … on a regular basis. I notice that they are very well maintained, well stocked and different items rotated in. Some are more kid friendly than others. The one on White Birch in particular has children’s crafts.”
The Little Free Library movement is strong in Greenbelt, with at least seven chartered libraries and uncounted unchartered libraries. Mowatt’s library is Charter #114201. This number means that worldwide, there are more than 100,000 Little Free Libraries in over 100 countries. The mind-boggling growth of this neighborly volunteer movement has occurred since the first one was built just over 10 years ago in 2009 by Todd Bol of Hudson, Wis., in the shape of an old-fashioned little red schoolhouse, to honor his mother, who was a school teacher. Bol and his friend Rick Brooks were inspired by the example of philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who built over 1,600 public libraries in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Their initial goal of 2,508 Little Free Libraries was rapidly surpassed, and Little Free Library was incorporated as a nonprofit in 2012.
The Mowatt Little Free Library is listed at littlefreelibrary.org/ourmap, a searchable resource that shows the location of registered libraries. Libraries in Greenbelt, listed chronologically by charter number, include Charter #4388 at 110 Greenhill Road, “The first Little Free Library in Greenbelt, Md. This library shares our love of literacy and books with the community that has nurtured and sustained us for 35 years and our grown children all their lives;” #11828 at 1 Pinecrest Court; #23158 established by the MakerSpace on Roosevelt Center; #95220 at 4 Greentree Place; #98689 at 25 Ridge Rd (located on the garden side between 25 Ridge and 2 Gardenway); #102211 sponsored by the Radiant Society at 110 White Birch Court; and #114102, Kid’s Bookcase at the corner of Maplewood Court and Lakeside Drive (started during the pandemic, Amy Hansen stocks this library with used children’s books obtained from Robert Harper at My Dead Aunt’s used book store in Hyattsville).
Near the unregistered library on Ridge Road near the Elementary School (alongside a community herb garden), a passerby browsing the books said he would be happy to see even more Little Free Libraries. They have been an important source of low-contact browsing during quarantine, enabling neighbors to share reading material safely while access to public libraries has been restricted. The presence of these libraries contributes to an open and friendly feeling in a neighborhood. A Little Free Seed Library was recently established at 4 Laurel Hill Road.
Greenbelter Chris Winters, a librarian at McKeldin Library, University of Maryland, was seen crossing Roosevelt Center carrying four books, including an Arcadia Publishing book of historic pictures of Capitol Hill. When asked if he had obtained the books from the nearby MakerSpace library, he said yes, two of them came from that library and two from a different one. He said the best books he had ever found in a Little Free Library were music books featuring the works of Bob Dylan and Hank Williams. This librarian said, “I’ve been pleased enough by what I’ve found to keep checking back. You never know what you’ll find. Since I visit, I try to give back. I really want them to stay.”
At the Grand Opening of the Mowatt Library, 40 Ridge Road, on Saturday, April 17, at 10 a.m., Judith Davis, of the Greenbelt City Council, will act as master of ceremonies, along with Pastor Fay Lundin and Noll. Donuts will be available at the festive occasion. All are welcome; social distancing and masks will be required.