A Little Free Library is a free book-sharing box where anyone may take a book or share a book. What started as a good idea, Little Free Library is now a nonprofit organization that inspires a love of reading, builds community, and sparks creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world. Through Little Free Library book exchanges, millions of books are exchanged each year, profoundly increasing access to books for readers of all ages and backgrounds. The Lake Wilderness Arboretum is proud to be the home of not one, but two, Little Free Libraries.
Legacy Garden Little Free Library
Our first Little Free Library was built and donated by Bob and Pam Soushek and Charles Benedict of Maple Valley in 2013. It’s located in the Legacy Garden next to a wisteria-laden bench donated in memory of Catherine and Elmer Benedict, Charles’ parents. The Library is a true legacy as Catherine was the librarian in Maple Valley from approximately 1955 to 1975 and now, through the efforts of her son, the love of reading continues to be shared. This library is chartered with the Little Free Library organization and is registered as #99598.
Children’s Discovery Forest Little Free Library
Our second Little Free Library is safely nestled under a canopy of trees in the Children’s Discovery Forest. Built and installed by Kyle Johnson of The Rustic Life in 2020, this space is designed with children in mind. Benches built from a downed tree at the Arboretum are sized for kids and the first books offered were provided by the Maple Valley Library’s children’s librarian. We hope this space becomes another way every child can learn in nature and learn to love nature. This library is chartered with the Little Free Library organization and is registered as #99595.