Elaine Roberts, past FOLTC president, suggested earlier in 2020 that the Friends of the Libraries of Towns County (FOLTC) consider sponsoring a Little Free Library at the Towns County Beach and Playground west of Hiawassee. This would be the 2nd Little Free Library in the county; the first is located at Mayor’s Park in Young Harris. The board members agreed that it would be great idea, County Commissioner Bradshaw agreed with the plan, and Friend and library patron Jerome Laux was approached about building it. After it was completed, Dick Aunspaugh (another FOLTC member) agreed to decorate it and put the FOLTC name on it. It was recently installed at the Playground (by Jerome Laux and Bruce Roberts) next to the pavilion and really brightens up the area. Look for the bright yellow box with colorful flowers on it! Thank you to everyone who participated in this project! FOLTC members will keep it stocked with books. However, if you take a book, you are welcome to share/leave a book!

If you have never heard of Little Free Libraries, visit their website at www.littlefreelibrary.org. You might also want to visit their Facebook and Instagram pages and see photos of some of the wonderfully creative libraries that have been built by people around the world. This is a “nonprofit organization that inspires a love of reading, builds community, and sparks creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world.” The book-sharing program was begun in 2009 when Todd Bol of Wisconsin built a model of a one-room schoolhouse as a tribute to his mother who was a teacher and loved to read. There are now over 100,000 registered Libraries in more than 100 countries worldwide.

Please visit both Little Free Libraries in Towns County!!!