7-year-old serves as inspiration for Little Free Library on Clark Avenue

A fan of mysteries, Zoe took a Nancy Drew book, “Curse of the Black Cat,” from the little library at the beach.

“And I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great to have a library at home?’ ”

As the family drove home after their visit to the beach, they talked about Zoe’s idea. Her mother, Diane Chan, suggested Zoe ask their neighbor Henry Sessions to build the library box. Sessions lives next door to Peter and Diane Chan in the Edgewood Park neighborhood. In his spare time, he sometimes builds things with wood.

When Zoe’s family pulled into their driveway, she saw Sessions in his yard. Carrying her Nancy Drew book, Zoe ran up to him and said, “Henry, I got this book from the library at the beach. Maybe we can make a library in our neighborhood!”

Zoe’s enthusiasm was the inspiration Sessions said he needed.

“I had been thinking about building a little free library,” Sessions said. “I had a bunch of scrap wood. Then when Zoe approached me with the idea, that was the trigger to get going on the project.”

Reclaimed materials

That same day, Sessions began studying photographs and design templates from the Little Free Library website and he adapted a design.

“It’s all made out of reclaimed materials,” Sessions said. “A friend had donated some shingles that I used for the roofing. It was definitely a community effort.”

Dan and Gail Wickwire donated some of the recycled wood and plexiglass for the library, which is anchored at the base of their driveway, across the street from Sessions’ house.

“It was a neighborhood project,” Dan Wickwire said.

At the March 6 dedication, neighbors brought books to donate and stood around the little library taking turns reading from the Dr. Seuss book “Oh, the Places You’ll Go.”

The library is dedicated to Clark Avenue neighbor Carl Addy, who died of cancer last summer.

“Carl was immersed in volunteering in the community,” Sessions said. “Boy Scout leader. Lions. He was always there to volunteer for neighborhood events, neighborhood cleanup. And he was a big reader. We thought dedicating a library to him would be a fine tribute.”

A plate on the library post reads: “This library is dedicated to our loyal friend and neighbor, Carl Addy (1943-2015), who never stopped giving his time, energy and care to make our community a better place.”

“Carl touched many people’s lives. He was a super sweet guy,” Zoe’s father, Peter Chan, said. “We miss him.”

On a sunny late afternoon, families gathered around the little library. Parents and grandparents chatted and kept a watchful eye for cars, while children dribbled basketballs, hula-hooped and browsed for books.

Standing on tiptoe, Zoe’s brother, Theo, 2, reached one hand into the library box in search of a sturdy board book, as Zoe’s sister, Fiona, 6, waited her turn.

The Clark Avenue Little Free Library is a hit and is used by both children and adults in the neighborhood.

“I’m pleased to see that it’s definitely being used, especially by the kids,” Sessions said. “There’s a lot of circulation of kids books.”

Sessions added that the neighborhood shares holiday celebrations and backyard parties.

“Our neighborhood has always had that spirit,” Sessions said. “This library seemed like a natural extension.”

About Little Free Libraries

The first little free library was erected in 2009. The model little, red schoolhouse built by Todd Bol of Hudson, Wis., was a tribute to his mother, a teacher who loved reading. He attached it to a post in his front yard, filled it with books and added a sign: “Free books.” The concept took off.

Builders of the little libraries are encouraged to use recycled materials and green building techniques. Above all, the little libraries are creative and colorful. Some resemble school houses and cabins, and a Portland neighborhood sports a blue TARDIS little library inspired by the TV show “Dr. Who.”

Shortly after the Clark Avenue Little Free Library’s dedication, Sessions received a letter from a family who lives a few blocks away. It reads: “Dear new Little Free Library: We love LFLs (Little Free Libraries) and are so happy you are in our neighborhood. Our kids are very excited to choose new books and leave books here for others to find. Thank you for sharing your love of reading and books with us.”

Next month, that family plans to dedicate their own Little Free Library just down the street.

Zoe’s advice to other kids who want to start their own Little Free Library: “Put in books that you like and you think others would like.”

She explained how it works: “The system is to get a book, you have to give a book.” Then she added: “I love to read. It’s my favorite activity.”

Mom Diane nodded, adding, “Every night at bedtime, we have to ask her to stop reading and turn out the light.”