A growing number of communities both large and small feature the communal book lending system known as the Little Free Library.
Typically found in easy walking distance of residential areas, people are invited to take or leave a book at their leisure. Little Free Libraries can come in many shapes and sizes, though they are often represented as miniature houses.
Dr. Thomas Bullington, a professor at Mercer University has been involved with the care, and promotion of the Little Free Libraries of Macon since their inception. In his work in Mercer University’s Integrative Studies program, Bullington has assigned his students different projects on the little libraries.
In his Building Community course, Bullington’s students are tasked with observing the circulation of the various genres which go through the Little Free Libraries over a period of time. Students are broken up into groups and take charge of a location. As to the project’s completion “students have the option of adding or removing books from their (Little Free Libraries) based on the circulation trends they have observed,” Bullington said via email.
Through this same project, Bullington plans to have his students take note of their assigned Little Free Library’s condition, and present what they have found to the residents of those areas. From this, he hopes to see a plan put forth that will see the present Little Free Libraries refurbished and possibly new ones built.
The Little Free Libraries of Macon were first established by former Mercer University professor Dr. Jen Look in 2014. Funding was secured through a Knight Community Grant to build an initial six Little Free Libraries.
Those original libraries feature one in Tattnall Square Park near the playground, one in the Macon Dog Park off Adams Street, one in G. Bernd Park on Magnolia Street; one in the alley near H&H Restaurant on Forsyth Street; and one in a grass triangle at Oglethorpe and Maple. There was also one built to resemble a TARDIS — a fictional object from the BBC series “Doctor Who” — at College Street and Georgia Avenue, but it has since been demolished.
Following her departure from Macon, Look turned over maintenance of the area’s Little Free Libraries to the locals. Today, there are some which carry on the task of keeping the libraries and books in relative condition. Some of those helping in that cause include members of Macon-Bibb County’s Friends of the Library group. Such instances of help would include when Macon saw snow fall last month. The books of the Tattnall Square Park Little Free Library were taken in by an unknown resident to protect them from the elements.
Despite this effort by the community, many of the Little Free Libraries of Macon are in need of repair. The books in the Tattnall Square Park Little Free Library have to be taken in when the weather is bad as there is no door on the present structure. Bullington made note that further Knight Community Grants would provide the much needed funds to address these ongoing needs.
