Randlett Park has a lot to offer these days. Luau theme parties. Backyard sledding hills. Scotch clubs. Babysitting swaps. Fancy pizza ovens. Potholes. But you know what it doesn’t have? A Little Free Library.
But fret not, Randlett Parkers, because that’s about to change.
(Okay, so most of you weren’t fretting because you’ve never heard of a Little Free Library. That’s about to change, too.)
According to the Little Free Library website, a Little Free Library — hereinafter referred to as an LFL so my hands don’t get tired from typing — is “a ‘take a book, return a book’ gathering place where neighbors share their favorite literature and stories. In its most basic form, a Little Free Library is a box full of books where anyone may stop by and pick up a book (or two) and bring back another book to share.”
Considering what a neighborly street this is, and given that some of you actually have time to read (what can I say — I like my reality TV), a Randlett Park LFL makes perfect sense.* So a few weeks ago, Jim Wieder — a fellow Newton resident who enjoys building stuff and happens to be my father — began work on what will soon be Newton’s third LFL (the others are in Newton Upper Falls and Chestnut Hill).
But before you guys get all excited about unloading all those piles of books you have sitting around, let’s establish some ground rules for our LFL, mmkay?
- Nothing with Fabio on the cover.
- If it’s been sitting in your bathroom for more than day or two, best dispose of it in a more suitable receptacle (preferably in a biohazard bag).
- Safe to say anyone with young children already owns “Goodnight Moon.”
- Don’t blame us if no one takes your copy of “Soul Survivors: The Official Autobiography of Destiny’s Child.”
- You can just drop off “Go the F**k to Sleep” directly at #135.
- People don’t use traditional dictionaries anymore. You can look words up online. Save the LFL shelf space for “Harry Potter.”
- Children’s books encouraged. Anything to keep Randlett Park progeny from watching another episode of “Caillou.”
- No one wants your copy of “Fifty Shades of Grey.” For serious.
*So perfect, in fact, that there’s a second Randlett Park LFL in the works down at #37.
I am happy to donate Harry Potter books. When does this start?
So excited by this! Great post, Tamara!