Laconia's Little Free Libraries build love of reading, community

LACONIA — This year’s summer reading program may have come to an end, but the reading doesn’t have to stop. Thanks to the abundance of Little Free Libraries, reading can take place all year long, even after normal city library hours.

Laconia alone boasts nearly a dozen of these libraries, fun to find yet sometimes hard to spot, with tricky parking. They’re worth the adventure though, each hub adorned in its own fashion. There are log cabins and bright blue cabinets, all stocked with bestsellers in every genre, from children’s books to adult fiction.

“I’m a teacher. I have a basement full of children’s books,” said Kate Soucy, of Laconia, who charters a Little Free Library on Colonial Road, and has no shortage of books to restock her inventory.

An avid reader herself, Soucy always wanted a Little Free Library of her own. After moving back to Laconia, from Alaska, her dad, David, encouraged her to build one.

“He said, 'Let’s convert this old kitchen cabinet into this,’ and that’s what we did. He had this stuff for siding. The vision for it was really all him,” Soucy said. “Everything was made out of scraps out of his garage. I just picked the paint color.”

The purpose of the worldwide Little Free Library movement is to improve access to books, strengthen communities and inspire readers of all walks of life. For example, while strolling through Lakeport, passersby can stop by the Lakeport Free Little Library and peruse its many offerings, which range from historical non-fiction to cookbooks.

The best part? Books rotate regularly, so what people see on shelves one day might be vastly different than the next.

The inventory “ebbs and flows,” Soucy said. “It’s right in my front yard. Often, I’ll get my mail, and check the library to see how things are. Sometimes, there’s not a lot of movement in books, so I’ll take them out and swap ‘em.”

The COVID-19 pandemic directly contributed to the popularity of these tiny book stacks, as well as the increase in pantry items often found nestled between two paperbacks. It’s community support in real-time, building camaraderie one book, or one canned good, at a time.

Now, since 2020, free little libraries are found in neighborhoods all over, easily found via the teal Little Free Library mobile app, and searchable based on location.

On Morningside Drive, the Windmill Shores Community Association board approved the addition of a Little Free Library to provide alternative entertainment to a restless neighborhood during the pandemic.

Becky Vallar oversees that little library.

The board “thought it was a great idea,” Vallar said Wednesday in a phone interview. “In the summer, there’s a lot of interest. It’s just nice to see so many little libraries.”

There’s even a Little Free Library at a grocery store. Vista Foods is home base for the Altrusa Club of Laconia’s sponsored library. The club advocates for literacy in the community, and believes having a Free Little Library at a convenient location helps.

According to the Little Free Library website, there are more than 200,000 registered Little Free Libraries in 128 countries. All told, more than 500 million books have been shared.

Books removed from a Little Free Library should not be returned to a public library. Rather, return it to the same Little Free Library, or have fun exploring a new one, where you may find your next read.

Curious to know where's the closest Free Little Libraries in your neighborhood? Check out this curated list:

1. The Log Cabin Free Little Library

8 Colonial Road

Kate and David Soucy’s Little Free Library is abundantly stocked, all the time, and neighbors contribute to the literary inventory.

2. Windmill Shores Community Association Free Little Library

Morningside Drive

The Little Free Library at this location is behind the Windmill Shores Community Association sign at the beach, and Becky Vallar stocks up books as often as she can.

3. Lakeport Little Library

Union Avenue

Located across the street from the Lakeport Opera House, the Lakeport Little Library serves as a treasure as Lake Opechee glistens in the backdrop, with a nearby bench to start reading.

4. The Library of Big PawS

334 Elm St.

Near the Leavitt Park Club House, folks of all ages will find something here.

5. Lake View Library

981 N. Main St.

This Little Free Library is in a residential neighborhood with a sidewalk.

6. Pleasant Street

172 Pleasant St.

Headquartered near the Unitarian Universalist Society of Laconia and Wilkinson-BeaneSimoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, this one can be hard to spot, but worth the trip.

7. Vista Foods

376 S. Main St.

This one is located at Vista Foods, and according to the mobile app, is sponsored by the Altrusa Club of Laconia.

8. Leighton Avenue

293 Leighton Ave. N.

A stout wooden bear stands guard at this Little Free Library, a small brown cabinet next to a private bench and mailbox.

9. A Children’s Fairy Dream

44 Ashley Drive

According to the mobile app, this library’s inventory is regularly changed out and stocked with books for children, young adults and adults.

For more information on Little Free Libraries, visit littlefreelibrary.org.

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Katlyn Proctor can be reached at katlyn@laconiadailysun.com or by calling 603-524-0150.