I’m so excited!
Our curbside Little Free Library is this week’s LFL Library of Distinction.
From the Little Free Library Newsletter, September 2017
Little Free Library of Distinction, September, 2017
The entry appears in the Little Free Library newsletter under the heading: One Library got a whimsical makeover
Here’s the link.
This is a great opportunity to bring attention to our library, and a wonderful way to celebrate and promote Donna Pierre’s stunning work. Here is how the whole thing came about.
After Donna put the finishing touches on our revamped library, I sent updated photos via the LFL website. They wrote back letting me know they would update the map within three days.
Our registered Little Free Library is searchable via the world map along with 50,000 other libraries in over 70 countries worldwide. Through the Little Free Library movement, millions of books are exchanged annually. It is a joy to be a part of the movement.
Within a few days of submitting the new photos, I received this email:
Congratulations! Your Library has been selected as a Library of Distinction. Its unique design and the creativity and enthusiasm you have put into it make it an inspiring example for other Little Free Library stewards to follow.We will share images of your Library and the story behind it in our weekly e-newsletter to Little Free Library fans and on our Libraries of Distinction Pinterest board.If there are any details on your Library’s design or history that you’d specifically like to share in our e-newsletter, please respond directly to this email with that information; about 3-4 sentences would be perfect.Attached you will find a certificate to commemorate this achievement, please feel free to print it and show it off to all of your friends! Keep up the good work.
Cheers,The Little Free Library Team
Donna attached this handsome cat to the base of the library. I reworked the white sign by smudging it with green ink. Instead of re-attaching it to the face of the library, Mike installed cup hooks below the box for the sign to hang free. I didn’t want to do anything that would distract from Donna’s design.
There are perhaps no days of our childhood we lived so fully as those we spent with a favorite book.
–Marcel Proust
Gardening Nirvana 
Congratulations to all involved in the initiation, design, maintenance and beautification of this distinguished Little Free Library! May it go from strength to strength…
LikeLike
Thank you, Kate! It’s hard to describe the thrill every time someone stops by and opens the library doors. I saw a woman sitting on the knee wall reading to two young children last week. Others stop by to bring books, or tidy the arrangement. It’s beloved by children and adults.
LikeLiked by 3 people
And justly so. Long may it and you prosper!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That made me smile!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How exciting and well deserved 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you, Sara! Donna is an amazing talent (like you). The library spreads joy every day.
LikeLike
Congratulations! How wonderful Alys. Reading to Natalie was one of the great joys of her childhood (for all three of us)! So lovely that you are sharing that gift with others. Bravo and Cheers ….it’s after 5!;)
LikeLike
Thank you, Michele. I too loved the “reading to the boys” years. Having a Little Free Library at the edge of our sidewalk is enriching in a hundred different ways.
LikeLike
Congratulations,Alys.
This is wonderful news, and richly deserved.
LikeLike
Thank you so much! I’m floating on a bit of a cloud right now. Who knew a box of books, beautified, could bring so much joy. xo
LikeLiked by 2 people
Well of course it did! Who could be surprised by such acknowledgement 🙂 Well done everyone – your library looks just lovely Alys! I love that users tidy it up too – isn’t that special!!
LikeLike
Pauline, it is special. One of these days I’ll share some of the comments in the guest book as well. Who would have thought that an artist named Pauline King would donate handcrafted bookmarks from the other side of the world. That is special too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations Alys 😀 this is so cool.
LikeLike
Thank you, Joe! I’m delighted.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m as excited about this honor as if it happened to me! How wonderful!!!! That is probably the cutest design I’ve seen and that it gets used makes me so happy. Reading opens up worlds and not enough find the joy of it. CONGRATULATIONS to all who are involved in the creation of this work of art and the technical parts (like cup hooks) too. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Marlene! I’m continually amazed at Donna’s skills. She’s done faux painting for a couple of my organizing clients, and she designed the entire office of Roger Kittle, the massage therapist that introduced us. Mike is a handy guy, and enjoys using his tools whenever possible. I spray painted the shiny hooks with some leftover copper spray paint so that they would look more natural, then covered the old holes with gemstones from my scrapooking stash. It’s been so much fun. Donna also made the back as beautiful as the front, so every time I walk into this room I can see and enjoy it, too. I’ve loved reading my entire life. I can’t imagine a world without it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the little libraries! My friend in Sebastapol has them in her neighborhood as well. Congratulations on the recognition.
LikeLike
Thank you, Mrs. P. I used to work summers in Santa Rosa, not that far from Sebastapol. Do you live in that area too? It’s lovely.
LikeLike
No, I live in Florida now but have visited last year. I grew up in the bay area and lived there for almost 50 years. Sebastapol is my ideal living environment, but the cost of living in California is just insane.
LikeLike
Yay Alys!!! Fantastic! Your renovated library is wonderful. Donna has created something unique, and the cat at the bottom is ‘purrfect’! I also like that you are a ‘steward’ pf your library, showing that the library is there for everyone to enjoy.
LikeLike
Thank you, Anne! You’ve been a great supporter of the library from the start. It’s wonderful the way the books flow now, three years in. They are always changing. Small fliers appear, too, from our local main library advertising book sales or events. It’s a great way to connect all libraries.
LikeLike
Such well deserved recognition for this beautiful symbol of community spirit. I’m not surprised at all your library was granted this award as everything about it is delightful – just like the steward 🙂
LikeLike
Awww. Thank you so much. You would think one might get jaded after three years with a small library at the curb, but to the contrary, it continues to amaze and energize me. It’s wonderful watching people stop by with books, taking books, reading right at the curb, and taking a general interest in what it is all about. xo
LikeLike
Oh, Alys!!!! Of course your sweet library was recognized. Your love of reading and your care and concern for your neighbors shines brightly every time the little door is opened.
LikeLike
Thank you so much, ME.
I love that what you’ve said: “Every time the door is opened.” Reading takes us to exciting places, in our minds and hearts. How can you beat that? Do you and Robert still visit one in your neighborhood?
LikeLike
Congratulations, Alys. I’ve never seen a LFL here in Britain, although we do have them informally inside buildings (e.g. a section of our staff kitchen at work). Anyway, your LFL must add to your community in beauty as well as service 😊.
LikeLike
Thank you, Helen. It’s nice to hear that you have a book collection where you work. I remembering traveling years ago, and finding a shelf of books available for the taking. I read one of my first John Irving books that summer (The Hotel New Hampshire). Sharing books makes so much sense, in whatever way it can be done.
LikeLike
I use my local library a lot these days and my mum and I swap books whenever we’ve bought one.
I’m trying to remember if I have ever read anything by John Irving.
LikeLike
Congratulations, Alys – that is exciting! What a wonderful recognition for your hard work.
LikeLike
Thank you, Karen. We’re all pretty darn tickled about it. Donna’s vision is extraordinary.
LikeLike
How wonderful Alys!! It certainly is beautiful.
LikeLike
Thank you, Amy!
LikeLike
That is an absolutely charming display! So inviting and representative of what one might find within. That award was a given. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you, Pat. That is lovely of you to say. In addition to the beauty of the library, I love the way it compliments the surrounding garden. And if it attracts more readers, all the better.
LikeLike
So fantastic! A huge congratulations!
LikeLike
Thank you, Sheryl! The wonderful response has been terrific. It’s fun seeing the different books that pass through as well as the turnover. It’s a sign of multiple users. That makes me happy.
LikeLike
Congratulations indeed. What a wonderful idea, making a nice home for the library and for the books to seem loved. I hope this catches on all over the world.
LikeLike
Hello there and thank you. Part of what excites me the most about this movement, is the effort to get small libraries into communities that really need them. They have initiatives in the US that I hope will spread to other countries. That said, 50,000 Little Free Libraries around the world is amazing.
LikeLike
You must be over the moon…it is absolutely wonderful…many many congratulations and I hope one day that I can have a trip over there to see it!
LikeLike
I would love it if you could pop over for a visit! And yes, over the moon is a good way to describe how I feel. This LFL is a thing of joy.
LikeLike
SO awesomely cool! And SO deserved! Your efforts to make this a special little place have been amazing and I’m really glad they’re being recognized, Alys!
LikeLike
Oh, well done Alys! I didn’t notice the cat at the base before – what a lovely touch! 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you, Cathy. The cat was part of the original design, but Donna wanted to engineer a way to attach it so that it seemed more three dimensional. Does that make sense? Anyway,she attached it to a small section of wood which is wedged between the original two supports. I love it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So well deserved – well done! It’s lovely to hear that others are getting so much enjoyment from the service.
LikeLike
Thank you, Sheila!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow 😊 Who knew when you started this how important it would become to everyone involved, including your daily visitors. Even without knowing what it is, it adds to the beauty of your front yard! I love it. Kudos to Donna.
LikeLike
Thank you, Sharon. It’s really been an experience for sure. In addition to having this beautiful library, I’ve met a few stewards of other local libraries and I’ve connected with one via Facebook, the lovely Carrie Marie. It really is a movement, and a wonderful, peaceful, inclusive one at that.
LikeLike
Wonderful ! Congratulations Alys 😀 I’m certain they’ve never seen anything like it. I think Donna is such a talent. The kitty at the base is so realistic looking. It’s a work of Art, literally. Do you see people stopping to take photo’s all the time? I can’t wait to see it in person 😀 I shall bring a little donation too xoxox K
LikeLike
You are very sweet to bring me a book for the library. Thank you, Boomdee! It’s always appreciated. I still have one book from you that I can’t quite part with yet. I’ll pull it out when you are here and we can read it together. Funny story: a realtor stopped by with a video camera and started filming her children getting a book. But then she wanted them to re-do the part of getting a book as she planned to use it on her website. There are actually two reviews on Yelp for our library, pre-remodel. I should go see if any more have been added. Donna is an amazing talent and a lovely person, too. She has a kitty of her own, though this one is more generic. You will be amazed when you see the LFL in person. I will take you to see a few new ones since your last visit too if we have time. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
ha! that is a funny story about the realtor! I wonder if she posted it yet? I’d love to watch. I didn’t know the LFL’s were on Yelp 😀 that’s fun! Did I tell you, last year we stopped at one near our house and someone had left a giant zuchinni in there? Must have been from their garden. “take a book, leave a zuchinni”, is the Canadian way 😀 LOL xoxo
LikeLike
LOL I love that zucchini story. That made me laugh. People leave small treasures in there, some appropriate, some not so much. I took out an order form yesterday for some magazine and put it in the recycle bin. Mostly, it’s books, bookmarks and a few small toys now and again. I love the Canadian way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Simply wonderful. And I love the cat. 😀
LikeLike
Oh hello! I was just at your wonderful blog. Thanks for stopping by. Donna Pierre is amazing.
LikeLike
Hey! Welcome 🙂
LikeLike
Love, love, love, love, love! Congratulations, Alys! Your newly updated Little Free Library is one of the most beautiful blossoms in your garden! I know that it will plant the seeds for a lifelong love of reading in every child who visits! I’m sure they will always remember this magical, little library from their childhood! ♥ Until I have a Little Free Library in my own garden, I admire one that is just a few blocks away. I’ve never thought of leaving anything besides a book. You have inspired me to leave a few handmade bookmarks inside each time I visit! Warmest hugs, dear Alys! ♡
LikeLike
Pingback: Our Beloved Village Mural – Gardening Nirvana
Pingback: Scrappy, Happy Valentines – Gardening Nirvana
Pingback: A Hollow Halloween – Gardening Nirvana
Pingback: Our LFL Gets a Cameo on Good Morning America – Gardening Nirvana