By Rusty Bradshaw
Twitter: @SunCitiesEditor

The Maricopa County operated libraries in Sun City are open on a limited basis, but residents have other options to find books to read.

The Sun City branch library, 16828 N. 99th Ave., is open only for patrons to pickup items they placed on hold. Hours are limited -- 8-10 a.m. Monday-Friday and 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays.

There are at least four Little Free Libraries in Sun City. These small, outdoor book storage niches offer residents a chance to browse for interesting reading material, and leave a book to replace one they take.

“My Little Free Library went up in February 2014,” resident Amy Schultz state din an email. “My son and daughter bought it for me because they know of my love for reading and sharing books.”

Her Little Free Library is available at 10028 W. Audrey Drive.

“I love books!” resident Aleta McClain stated in an email. “I love everything about the written word, the texture, the weight and the fragrance of a well preserved book.”

Ms. McClain’s Little Free Library is located at 9915 W. Pleasant Valley Road.

Todd Bol of Hudson, Wisconsin got the trend started in 2009 when he built a model of a one room schoolhouse. It was a tribute to his mother, who was a teacher who loved to read. He filled it with books and put it on a post in his front yard. His neighbors and friends loved it, so he built several more and gave them away, according to information on the Little Free Libraries website, littlefreelibrary.org.

University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Rick Brooks saw Mr. Bol’s do-it-yourself project while they were discussing potential social enterprises. Together, the two saw opportunities to achieve a variety of goals for the common good. They were inspired by community gift-sharing networks, “take a book, leave a book” collections in coffee shops and public spaces, and most especially by the philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who funded more than 2,500 free public libraries through the early-20th century.

That goal inspired Mr. Brooks and Mr. Bol to set their own goal of surpassing 2,508 Little Free Libraries by the end 2013. They wound up exceeding that goal in August of 2012, a year and a half before their target date.

Ms. Schultz and Ms. McClain are enthusiastic about their efforts to share the love of reading. Ms. Schultz stated the Little Free Libraries encourage reading by offering free books to read. They are attractive and near the street. Often they are quite eye-catching as they are made of all sorts of material — some are two story with two shelves, some are brightly painted and some match their owners house, she explained.

“The libraries are filled  with books of all reading levels, depending on the neighborhood and any one may take a book or two or three,” Ms. Schultz stated.

Ms. McClain has been involved with several book venues, Bookcrossing.com and PaperBackSwap.com. About 10 years ago she started following the Little Free Library movement, seeking them out as she and her husband traveled.

I started thinking, ‘I would like to have one too!’” she stated.

Her husband retired in 2018 and last year he designed and built one for her.

“We unveiled it to the neighborhood October of 2019,” Ms. McClain stated.

Readers are asked to leave a book for each one they take, but it is not mandatory.

“The library is often crowded with books from readers in the neighborhood,” Ms. Schultz stated. “Occasionally, I put a book or two in and I read books that are left by readers.”

She has also started putting a magazine or two in the library when she believes a particular issue might be enjoyed.

Ms. Schultz and Ms. McClain both initially stocked their Little Free Libraries with books from their own personal collections. Ms. McClain said Goodwill is also a good source to stock a new Little Free Library.

Residents her neighborhood keep the library full, but after the books have been rotated 3-4 times Ms. McClain retires them and put new ones in.

“In our LFL we prefer to offer only books,” she stated.

Ms. McClain said there have been incidents of theft. One of our neighbors provided a bench to put in front of the library, but one morning it was gone. Another time half of the books, about 20, were taken. 

“Even though these things happen sometimes, it’s fun to stand around, meet people and talk about good books,” Ms. McClain stated. “You may meet your next best friend.”