“Take a book. Leave a book.” The Lynchburg Parks & Recreation Department and the Lynchburg Public Library are joining forces to help promote literacy and the love of reading in Lynchburg with the placement of three Little Free Libraries (LFLibraries) throughout the city offering free books housed in hand-made, freestanding structures to members of the local community. Three LFLibraries have already been built by members of the Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club and will be installed and ready for use in Riverside Park, Lynchburg Community Market and the Ed Page entrance of the Blackwater Creek Bikeway.

Any individual or organization can start a Little Free Library, and each box can be unique, allowing volunteers to create a custom, personalized design. “Once our little free libraries are in place, we hope members of the Lynchburg community will like this idea and build their own,” says Kay Frazier, Lynchburg Parks & Recreation Director. “This is an exciting program that can help put books in the hands of all."

Lynchburg Public Library Director Marilyn Martin hopes that they reach a new audience. “We hope they might reach citizens who are out of the habit of going to the library. Now you can just pick up a book on your way out to the trail. It’s free, it’s convenient, and it’s such a great idea!”

To find out more about Lynchburg’s Little Free Libraries, visit www.lynchburgva.gov/parksandrec or contact Lynchburg's director of communications JoAnn Martin at joann.martin@lynchburgva.gov.