Gavin Bavis, left, Cody Dionne, Hayden LeCompte and Payson Goyette show off their work Wednesday at Marcotte Park in Lewiston. The National Honor Society students at Lewiston High School helped install three Little Free Libraries as part of a community project organized by Friends of the Lewiston Public Library. Submitted photo
LEWISTON — You’ve probably seen them around town, little boxes affixed to a post filled with library books that are begging you to take a look or take them home.
Over the past two weeks, the Friends of Lewiston Public Library put their brains and brawn together with students from Lewiston High School’s National Honor Society to install three new Little Free Libraries in what they determined were underserved areas of the city.
Friends of Lewiston Public Library board member Gillian Bavis said there are little libraries in the city, but most of them are at elementary schools, a few businesses, in Pettengill Park and in some neighborhoods, where residents have erected them. Bavis and colleague Julie Colangelo shepherded the project through to completion.
Friends of Lewiston Public Library install three Little Free Libraries with the help of Lewiston High School National Honor Society students Payson Goyette, left, Gavin Bavis, center, and Hayden LeCompte. Submitted photo
Bavis said they chose Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary, St. Mary’s Nutrition Center and Jude’s Place in Marcotte Park. The Friends group funded the little libraries and Lewiston Paint and Wallpaper provided the paint and a little DIY advice.
The hope is people will visit the new sites to share books or grab some to go and get involved with the community by doing something they have in common with others.
Lewiston High School National Honor Society students install a Little Free Library on Wednesday in front of the St. Mary’s Nutrition Center in Lewiston. The project was spearheaded by the Friends of Lewiston Public library to increase access to books within the community. Submitted photo
A tip of the hat also goes to the city, Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary and St. Mary’s Nutrition Center for giving the go-ahead for the installations.
“Thank you to the Lewiston High School boys for all their hard work and dedication to seeing this project through,” Bavis wrote in an email.
The Friends group staff will maintain and refill the libraries and can be contacted through the Lewiston Public Library Facebook page.
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