Throughout Loudoun County and other parts of the United States, there are little houses that are covered in artwork and stand proudly outside schools, businesses, and libraries. These are Little Free Libraries, which grew in popularity during Covid, as a way for people to receive new books for free. The premise of a little library is that a person can bring a book that they have already read or want to trade to the library, and, in return, they can take another book that interests them.
By using the Little Free Library app or website, people throughout various communities can determine where there are Little Free Libraries by them. The organization accounts for more than 175,000 little libraries in 121 countries. Near Purcellville, Round Hill, and Hamilton, there are nine little libraries that residents and visitors can use to find new books and enjoy well loved books for free. In Leesburg, there are 20 free little libraries that can be enjoyed by the community. Junior Chelsea Macinnes remarks, “It allows books that would otherwise rot in a bookshelf to be read once again, and it gives an opportunity to read to kids who may not typically be able to go and buy a book or get one at the library.”
Woodgrove High School has its own little library that presides in front of the school around the drop-off loop. The little library was originally built by former librarian Bob Kane and painted by NHS members in 2023 for Earth Day. Currently, every few months, Mrs. Sarah Emerson, who is one of the school’s current librarians, refills and updates the books within the library with collections started by Sherry O’Conner, another former librarian of Woodgrove.
Macinnes stated, “I believe it gives a sense of community and gives books another chance to be read.” Little libraries give students and community members a chance to read new books for free and to add new colors into the community through their bright nature and the ability to offer new and enticing books to residents of the area.