Much of John and Nelda Brangwin’s 22-year marriage centers around the written word. They met in a book club, and throughout their Bellevue home one can find one of the more than 30 magazines and newspapers the couple subscribes to.
Nelda is a librarian at Cherry Valley Elementary in Duvall who helped institute several reading programs, at which John has helped out. Now John is taking it a step further, building and dedicating a small book depository to his wife, who is currently studying in New York.
The Brangwins are the latest entrant into what is becoming a worldwide trend, Little Free Libraries. The Wisconsin-based company sells, or helps people build, small structures placed on the front of the lawn, filled with books. Neighbors and passersby then borrow a book for free, and hopefully contribute a piece to the collection as well.
Brangwin, a retired salesman and long-time magician, just put the finishing touches on his Little Free Library at his home at 16715 SE 35th St. this week. The structure, which Brangwin hired door and window contractor Michael Langhans to build, is filled with Northwest identity.
It features a glass door giving people the ability to browse the collection. It also is fortified with solid wood and siding to make sure it could stand up to the elements.
Many of the libraries from around the world feature more artistic elements, but Brangwin was worried such a box couldn’t hold up to the pressure of the elements.
“That just isn’t going to last around the Northwest,” he said. “In a year, they might have a ratty, unattractive box.”
Thus far, only a few people have taken books from the library that Brangwin stocked with books and current magazines. He plans to increase his contributions as soon as he sees what people are taking and putting in.
The little boxes have been spreading around the world since fall 2009 when the company’s cofounders, Todd Bol and Rick Brooks, met at a workshop. They are in all 50 states, six Canadian provinces and 30 countries.
Brooks, Outreach Program Manager in Continuing Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has always sought to create something that brings people together.
“There is a real yearning for a sense of community,” he said. “We discovered there was a real potential for this little box of books to connect people in very interesting and positive ways.”
GET YOUR OWN
Little Free Library boxes can be ordered, or built. Boxes begin at $250 and up, or people can build their own and order a registration package for $25. This gets owners a sign, and a place on the company’s online GPS map of locations. For more information or to start your own library, visit: www.littlefreelibrary.org/
