Hi Lee, I agree with you and the other volunteers. A "tiny library" is not only a place to "unload" (share) books that you do not want in your library, it's also a place for your neighbors to "unload" (share) theirs ... so you will find yourself weeding (or not) through what is left there especially if you have the impression it has not circulated in a while.
I have a tiny library on our front loan and it has been used quite consistently but never as much as when all other libraries were closed at the beginning of the Covid pandemic. Then neighbors and visitors to the neighborhood (I saw a few delivery trucks there) used it to get something new to read and we all benefited from what was left there. Since you have a lending library 100 feet away ... most of the positive fades away. Good luck, Shoshanah Seidman ________________________________ From: Hasafran <hasafran-bounces+sseidman=northwestern....@lists.osu.edu> on behalf of Lee Jaffe via Hasafran <hasafran@lists.osu.edu> Sent: Tuesday, January 4, 2022 11:31 AM To: hasafran@lists.osu.edu <hasafran@lists.osu.edu> Subject: [ha-Safran] Tiny library Has anyone experience with a “tiny library” associated with their library or host institution? I’d be interested in hearing how it was implemented and whether it enhanced or detracted from your library service, and how. Our new synagogue director has proposed installing a tiny library box near the building entrance. At first I was positive, seeing it as a venue for off-loading unwanted donated books. Plus, I didn’t want to say no in my first interaction with the new director. But the other volunteers raised a lot of concerns about how it would be managed, that it fall on us to review what was put in there, adding to our work and potential headaches. As I considered the proposal further, I asked myself what was the point, whether this was the appropriate venue? Why would you place a tiny library 100 feet from a real lending library? The tiny library movement was a neighborhood initiative, informal sharing, a literary free box. In that regard, it doesn’t make (as much sense) outside a real lending library. Or does it? I want to be open-minded and not rain on the director’s proposal out of hand. If there are good reasons to support this initiative, ones that augment or complement the library program , or at least not detract from it, I’d like to hear about it. Alternative programs are also of interest. I appreciate hearing about your experience. Lee Jaffe
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