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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2014
PAGE 3A
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LOCAL
Pocket libraries give easy access to books
TERRI HARVEY news@kansan.com
news@kansan.com
The idea of pocket libraries began with a national community movement that offers free books housed in small containers called the Little Free Library. The pocket libraries will be popping up all over Lawrence by late spring or early summer.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Matthew Burke and his group construct a pocket library, one of 25 that will be available to Lawrence residents.
Pocket libraries can come in many shapes and sizes, but Matthew Burke's group made all 25 rather standard. They are built in the style of a large bird house, roughly three times the size of a mail box with doors hinged to the front. They are meant to be placed in community members' front yards so they are easily accessible for all.
"The idea is that it's a 'take a book, leave a book' type of thing" Burke, an associate professor of sculpture, said. "They serve the book-reading public, and the books that go in reflect the taste of the people that own them, but of course the books will change over time as people put other things in."
Many students and Lawrence locals wanted to help with the project to feel like they were doing something to better Lawrence.
Brad Allen, the director of the Lawrence Public Library. "They wanted to do something that would benefit the library."
"I feel like I'm a part of taking these trees that were going to be unused and thrown away and recycling them into something usable for the community," said Kasey Stertz, a sculpture graduate student. "I really feel like a part of these libraries and the community."
"These guys came up with the idea to salvage the wood and create a literary project," said
This project began about two years ago when the Lawrence Public library had many trees cut down to make room for renovations.
Burke and others in Lawrence who were interested in the project decided that once the 25 libraries are finished they should be auctioned off to the people of Lawrence. The proceeds will go to a non-profit organization that supports the public library, Friends of the Library. Allen said that the money would most likely be used to fund library programs or to purchase supplies for children's programs through the library.
There are still opportunities for students and others to be part of the process. Though the pocket libraries are almost finished, they still need to be decorated. Burke said that all local residents are welcome to volunteer to decorate the finished libraries.
The pocket libraries give those who don't visit libraries frequently a chance to read books they wouldn't typically come across.
"I think any way we can get education out into the
world is a good thing." Stertz said. "Sometimes libraries are intimidating to people, so putting them out in the public and making them easily accessible is a way to bring it into the community."
The official date of the auction will be announced on the KU Art Twitter and Facebook accounts later this semester.
- Edited by Blair Sheade
KU $ \textcircled{1} $nfo
Early Sunday morning is Daylight Savings Time. Don't forget to "spring forward" by setting your clock ahead one hour before going to bed on
Saturday.
Crimson and True, the newest student coalition at the University brought together by two seniors, Garrett Wolfe and James McGowan, held its formation caucus last night at 9 p.m. in the Union. Crimson and True stated its mission is to promote diversity, ecological change and to improve Student Senate.
STUDENT SENATE Fourth coalition forms, holds caucus
The new coalition was formed, "Because we can. We do not agree with the two-party system. We need a voice and change needs to be done," McGowan said.
Wolfe and McGowan outlined the main points of their platform: Making gender-neutral restrooms, having non-denominational prayer spaces accessible for students at any time and increasing international student representation.
Crimson and True plans to meet again at 6 p.m. on Sunday, to choose its president and vice president nominees.
"Neither James nor I will be running for President or VP because we feel that it is very important it is run by other students with different voices," Wolfe said. "We are both seniors and need others to take a stand."
Joanna Campos