Everyone loves a good book and I am no different, but I fall in love quickly and often. Book fairs are like speed dating for me. The smell of an old book; the sound of my thumb turning crisp, unturned pages. A stack of books in my arms and I’m holding the promise and excitement of every unread page.
At this point in my life, I am quite acclimated to the problem of having too many books and I have a systemized solution—donate to the nearest Free Library. If you have not seen one of the many throughout the Hamptons, Free Libraries are small collections of books like a newspaper dispenser (what’s that?) or Redbox located in shared spaces. These unlocked boxes are available for all the public to donate and take books, free of charge.
Like any grass-roots service, Free Libraries operate on the honor system and volunteer caretakers ask that you consider donating books others are likely to enjoy. Books can transport us to another world and donating to a Free Library is a great way to share that experience with someone else!
This summer, after I returned home from East Hampton Library’s annual Author Night, I glanced at my bookshelf. Straining shelves bowed under the weight of books stacked vertically and horizontally to maximize the space, like a game of Tetris. I realized I would have to give away some of my old books to make way for the new ones.
To make room for all my new reading material, I decided to donate 4 books, that I thought would be interesting for other readers, each at a different location.
Goldie LFL (#85181) — 127 Main Street, Sag Harbor
The Rogers Memorial Library (#43728) — 23 Main Street, Southampton
BEE Hive Little Free Library (#54316) — 2685 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton
Springs 1 (#40817) — 8 Bruce Lane, East Hampton
It’s always exciting for me to see the annotations and notes that the previous reader added – a glimpse into their mind. I have read books I would never have picked up at a store, the folds and creases of a well-worn book that give it instant credibility.
Anonymous generosity is a reward in itself and in my experience, people tend to donate the books they loved the most, not the ones they didn’t. Better yet, there is no buyer’s remorse when you can always bring the book for someone else!
Desire to share and to explore books through informal, community-driven ideas, like a Free Library, prove the enduring power of the printed page, that the book is a device that is constantly updated and never becomes obsolete.
Be sure to visit littlefreelibrary.org for more information on these valuable community programs.
