- April 26, 2024
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Ormond teen said the project is about community and sharing.
Wayne Grant
News Editor
A local student has presented an idea to the city to start a community book sharing project, and so far has received a favorable reception.
Madeline Holt explained her idea for “little free libraries” to the Quality of Life Advisory Board at a recent meeting. Decorative boxes with books, called book trees, would be placed a various locations around the city. In the “take a book, return a book” concept, anyone could pick out a book, and bring back a back for others to take.
Holt, of Ormond Beach, said she had visited her sister in San Francisco, and saw they had book trees that look like large bird houses. She said many types of designs available and can be unique to the city.
“The concept emphasizes community and sharing,” she told the board. “It’s not just about providing books.”
Holt is an international baccalaureate student at Spruce Creek High School.
Holt said she believes Ormond Beach is the perfect place for a free library, because there are many places to sit and relax, such as by the ocean or river.
She suggested locations such as Rockefeller Gardens, the Senior Center and the MacDonald House.
Board Member Juliann Blanford also suggested Bailey Riverbridge Gardens.
“I like to find a shady spot and read there,” she said.
Some board members were concerned about theft.
“How can you steal something that’s free?” Holt asked. “People will realize it’s not cool to steal.”
Board Chairman Dr. Philip Shapiro asked what the source of books would be, and Holt said a few would be provided at first, and hopefully, people would bring more.
Board member William Masters said she might get overwhelmed with books from people dropping them off, and City Manager Joyce Shanahan said that’s why you keep the boxes small.
“You want 10 books, not 50,” Shanahan said. “It should be dynamic and changing.”
Holt said she and a committee of friends would monitor the book trees for vandalism and damage.
The board was unanimously in favor of the idea.
“It’s not often we have a young person come forward,” Shapiro said.
“What’s cool,” Blanford said, “is that you can share books you like.”
Troy Railsback said the locations of other book trees could be placed on the boxes, guiding people to other locations around the city.
The board approved a motion to have the city purchase and assemble three book trees, which would then be decorated and painted by Holt. The proposal will need to be approved by the City Commission.
After the meeting, Holt said she was surprised.
“I wasn’t expecting that they would offer to pay for it,” she said.
He mother, Diane, said it’s completely Madeline’s idea and project.
“The first thing I knew, she was going before the Quality of Life Board,” she said.
Madeline Holt said she sent an email to the city, and was eventually directed to take the idea to the Quality of Life Board.
“I researched and found out they are all over the world,” she said. “I thought, ‘Why aren’t there any in Florida?'”
