Chehaw, Deerfield-Windsor National English Honor Society dedicate Little Free Library

ALBANY — The Deerfield-Windsor School National English Honor Society established a Little Free Library at Chehaw Thursday to use the sharing of books as a way to help build community bonds through the same love of reading they possess.

The dedication was held outside the zoo’s gift shop entrance, where the library will be located for bookworms to give and take literature as they wish.

It is not set up like a normal library. It doesn’t require library cards or late fines. It doesn’t insist that patrons whisper or stay quiet and no one minds if you do not return a book. The Little Free Library is meant to be a “take a book, return a book” gathering place where neighbors share their favorite literature and stories.

In its most basic form, it’s a box full of books where anyone may stop by and pick up a book or two, and bring back another book to share. The idea is to promote literacy and community-building by supporting book exchanges.

Emily Pursel, a rising senior at Deerfield and former junior zookeeper at Chehaw, was the member of the society who was instrumental in bringing the library to life.

Many children pass through Chehaw each year, but that was just one of several motivators.

“(Books) are the thing that has brought us all together,” she said. “Literature has shaped us as individuals … I don’t know that I would do if I didn’t have books.

“A big part of my childhood was out here … people here are always eager to help us.”

Pursel said she was really happy the project came together the way it did. She also encouraged anyone able to do similar projects to follow through with them, as more could be used in Albany.

“In a year or two, we hope to do another (Little Free Library),” she said.

Chehaw’s Little Free Library was designed by conceptual mixed media artist Romy Maloon out of Atlanta. It’s the size of a large birdhouse and has passages from “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein burned into the wood. The public is encouraged to take a book when they need one, and donate books when they don’t.

“We are delighted to have this kind of a feature to come into our park, especially since it was (thought up) by a young person who used to be one of our own,” said Chehaw Executive Director Doug Porter.

Aside from adding something extra to the park, it also has the benefit of enhancing the educational aspect of the Albany attraction.

“It is another way we can educate people about our mission,” Porter said. “It is a nice feature that gives a good look to our gift shop.”

“We hope people come here with a book in hand with the idea (of giving one back). We have regular zoo visitors who come here on the weekends with their children … this could be a part of their zoo visit.”

In return, Porter presented the society with a free park pass to Chehaw.

Begun in 2009, Little Free Libraries are community gathering spots designed to facilitate the free exchange of books, and has grown to include more than 25,000 registered Little Free Libraries in all 50 states and more than 70 countries.