Library Foundation, Potomac Local partner on little libraries project

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The Prince William Library Foundation and Potomac Local have come together to support a literacy initiative to create little libraries in the area.

The project, titled “Prince William (PW) Little Free Libraries” is part of a larger global push for literacy, run by the organization “Little Free Libraries.”

PW Little Free Libraries will be dotted across Prince William, Manassas and Manassas Park.

What the project is about?

According to Bryanna Altman, president of the Library Foundation, the project is all getting people in the community reading.

“It’s about promoting childhood reading and adult literacy, so we don’t expect anybody to spend any money on this, other than a creative way to offer a book exchange – it’s give a book, take a book. We have tons of enthusiasm going with this project,” said Altman.

How do I get involved?

There are many ways to get involved with the project. If you have a space of your own that you’d like to use – then create your own free library and let us know.

If you know of a perfect location, but don’t have access, then ask the person that owns the property or area if they’d be willing to become involved in the project.

The books for this project are all meant to be donated – so if you have extra books and you’d like to help support literacy in the community – then donate your books to one of the many locations, so other people can enjoy them.

Potomac Local will be tracking the progress of the project, and will take information and photos of all of the little library locations that pop up across the area. All of the libraries will be placed on an interactive map on our site, so that residents can find their closest PW Little Free Library.

Participants are encouraged to take part in the global initiative by registering their library on the Little Free Library site, but are not required to do so.

“If [people] want to participate in the global initiative, then that’s when they go to the [Little Free Libraries] website, and they have to register. They’re paying to this organization…and basically what you’re getting is [a label] for people to easily locate and identify it,” said Altman.

How do I make a PW Little Free Library?

Making a PW Little Free Library can be as easy or as difficult as you want it to be.

There are some people that would prefer to buy a cabinet or container that is premade, while others want to be very creative and draft and build their own design. There are even kits for sale online.

Regardless of how you make your PW Little Free Library, it is important that it be accessible, and that it is moderately weather proof, so that the books are not water damaged.

A lot of individuals choose to use recycled or repurposed materials to create their libraries. The ReStore in Manassas, run by Habitat for Humanity, sells lower cost building materials that are left over from their projects.

A quick online search will give you plenty ideas on how you can find a creative concept for your own PW Little Free Library. 

Who has already created a PW Little Free Library?

Several community leaders have already committed to the project, and have constructed their own libraries.

In Occoquan, there is a library on Union Street and another at the Preservation Station location. Additionally, former Occoquan mayor Earnie Porta is building his own “Porta Pagoda” little library, which will sit in front of his home.

“I first read about these free box libraries a year or so ago and they struck me as markers of positive, welcoming communities, so I decided to build one for our front yard. Guided by the article and its online references, I tried to use mostly scrap materials I had lying around the garage, supplemented by some hardware I bought at Pitkins.  Our front yard has a modest Asian theme with local, native plants, so I decided to build the box library in the shape of a pagoda,” said Porta.

In Lake Ridge, the Westminster assisted living community has their own library.