Wynnewood North Little Free Library

The Washington Post

By Ron Charles

A Little Free Library in Washington Terrace, Utah. (Photo courtesy of Little Free Library; photo illustration by Ron Charles/The Washington Post)
A Little Free Library in Washington Terrace, Utah. (Photo courtesy of Little Free Library; photo illustration by Ron Charles/The Washington Post)

Some weeks, the shelf of literary inanities is packed so tightly that I don’t know what to check out first.

Consider Ryan Walters, the Oklahoma schools superintendent who always sounds like he’s auditioning to play the mayor’s priggish wife in a high school production of “The Music Man.” Walters wants taxpayers to buy 55,000 Bibles. And — behold! — the edition that just so happens to meet his highly idiosyncratic criteria is the “God Bless the USA Bible” being hawked for $60 a piece by the renown religious scholar Donald Trump (story).

There are so many Constitutional problems here that, in the words of St. John, “If they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.”

Meanwhile, in Utah, which has already passed a book banning law that enthrones the state’s dimmest bulbs, censors are expanding their campaign of cultural decimation beyond schools and libraries.

Brooke Stephens, of Utah Parents United, maintains a page called “LaVerna in the Library,” which encourages eagle-eyed Comstockians to send in a photo of “a naughty children’s book including a photo of at least one harmful passage!”

The latest nook of literary liberty to spark Stephens’s ire is a Little Free Library — one of those give-away boxes that tens of thousands of bookish folks maintain around the country.

Last month, the LFL organization encouraged people to “share banned or challenged books … to broaden access to a variety of diverse voices.” Utah State Rep. Sahara Hayes took up that cause and announced she was putting banned books in LFLs around her district.

Not so fast, you naive Americans! On Facebook, Stephens warns that Hayes — and, by implication, other depraved stewards of Little Free Libraries — could be arrested for distributing p**n.

“The police don’t even need to find those books in there with her fingerprints on them,” Stephens claims. “She already declared her intent to distribute to minors. That alone is against the law.”

Just when you think there are no more seats at the Mad Hatter’s tea party, these folks scooch over and make room. You may remember Alice’s host saying, “If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense.”

Fortunately, the United States is not there — yet. Books that some conservatives don’t like or don’t consider appropriate for their children are not ipso facto p**nographic. Nor does the appearance of “naughty” words or a “dirty” illustration make an entire novel obscene. The idea that these sanctimonious zealots would start publicly threatening citizens for giving away their own books on private property should strike every American ear like a 10-alarm fire in our national library. ❖

(Editorial cartoon by Chris OBrion —www.chrisobrion.com)
As we wind down National Library Week, we're reminded that people of all walks of life use their libraries in a variety of ways. From help finding a job to access to the internet, and from checking out books to picking up a DVD for family movie night, different people have different needs and libraries across the country work hard every day to meet those needs. "A library is not a luxury, but one of the necessities of life." - H.W. Beecher ❤

Our LFL is now 7 Years old! In that time, many neighbors have donated books, and taken books. It’s never been empty!
But, it is, right now. After several years of Texas heat and especially the last two winters of cold, the library is in need of repair. We will try to have it up and running by May.
In the meantime, I thought I would take this time to thank all who have patronized it, and to ask a favor. We are in need of fresh donations of newer books, adults, especially childrens and teen books. I’ve posted about one publisher that has an awesome line of girls books. I would appreciate if neighbors could purchase a book and donate it to the library. Please post any other good websites to get uplifting and inspiring books. Thanks again!

Awesome website!

I am requesting donations from “A Mighty Girl” FB page & website. Their books are designed to support and inspire young girls. They are clever and funny. While the library is getting fixed, think about what books you’d like to have read as a child, or your own child.
There are other sources, this is just a suggestion. We need books that are thoughtfully shared and loved! Thank you!

Consider ideas to make the LFL even better! Message Vicki PATSDAUTER

The Little Free Library is empty while we consider renovation. Message if you’d like to help!

This is a Little Free library in California

It's the Holidays! Come check out some new additions to our library and bring a holiday book to share! Remember, these books are free. My favorite is the santa book that has santa dancing and twirling candy canes when you turn the pages! Let us know your favorite holiday book!