BROOKINGS – Optimist Club of Brookings President Bob Hurd’s and Optimist member Janet Brubakken’s love of reading moved them to create a new Little Free Library in the community.
They got some help from Optimist member Roger Jenner, and now the library is open for business at 1133 12th St. S. in Brookings.
The idea behind a Little Free Library is simple: Build a small structure and fill it with books. People come by and take the books they want and bring them back when they’re done reading them, or if they want to keep those books, they replace them with others. That way there’s a constant, changing supply of reading material.
Optimist International’s mission is “Bringing the best out in youth, in ourselves and in our community.” What better way to exceed the mission by providing books?
Member Chance Littau provided the first books for the Optimists’ library with the help of the Hurd and Brubakken families. The shelves are full, and there has been activity at the new library. It is on a main walkway to and from Mickelson Middle, Camelot Intermediate and Medary Elementary schools in the Brookings School District.
“No age group should be shy about using it. It’s self-serve. Reading opens doors, imaginations and opportunities to lifelong learning. The Optimist little library will be kept well-stocked,” Hurd said.
