Urban forest to get free library post

Families walking through the new urban forest in Franklin will be able to grab a picture book to take home and read.

A Little Free Library, a small, freestanding box on a post, will have about 100 picture books. Community members can take the books and then return them or replace them with another book, said Jennifer Baltz, marketing and communications manager for Johnson County Public Library.

Little Free Libraries is an international nonprofit organization that encourages people to make their own little libraries across the world. The free-standing, small libraries are becoming a trend across the country, which is partly why organizers wanted one in a Franklin park, Baltz said. The library worked with the Franklin parks department and Franklin Lions Club to open the newest location.

Families can also grab books at several other locations across the county in Franklin and Greenwood, including Isom Elementary School, the Greenwood splash pad and in downtown Franklin.

“It has been a trend for a while,” she said.

They wanted it to be part of the new story walk, which allows families to take a walk in the urban forest, with signs telling them a story.

The Little Free Library is stuffed with picture books meant to complete that theme, she said.

Families who want to take a book can grab one. Readers can then keep the book, return it or put another book in its place, creating a community-wide book exchange, she said.

“It’s meant to be something the community can take part in as well,” she said.

Another Little Free Library is opening in October at Independence Park, as part of a project by the White River/Greenwood Rotary and Johnson County Parks Department. That site also will have a story walk, Baltz said.

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What: Little Free Library ribbon cutting

When: 4:30 p.m. today

Where: Urban Forest on the southside of Franklin

Cost: Free

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A new Little Free Library is being dedicated today in Franklin’s Urban Forest. Here is a look at where you can get a book at a freestanding library around the county.

  • Toodleydoo Toys, 1 W. Jefferson St., Franklin
  • Urban forest, Franklin
  • The Social of Greenwood, 550 Polk St., Greenwood
  • Craig Park trail head, Greenwood
  • Splash pad, Greenwood
  • Amphitheater, Greenwood
  • Greenwood city building, 300 S. Madison Ave., Greenwood
  • Esperanza Center, 622 N. Madison Ave., Greenwood
  • Southside Art League, 299 E. Broadway St., Greenwood
  • VFW Post 5864, 333. S. Washington St., Greenwood
  • Isom Elementary School, 50 E. Broadway Drive, Greenwood

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