Little free library installed in Duncan Park

Published 10:58 pm Saturday, December 9, 2017

 

NATCHEZ — Callie Godfrey got straight to the point when she told city aldermen about her desire for a third Little Free Library in Natchez.

“I’m just a homeschool mom that feels like we need some more things for our kids to get out, read (and) play in the sunshine,” Godfrey said.

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When Godfrey received approval from the board to install the Little Free Library she and her husband worked to get it placed in Duncan Park, right across the street from the playground.

The name of the program is apt — a wooden construction, somewhat akin to a fanciful mailbox, contains books that are available for anyone to take for no cost, so long as the “checked out” book is replaced by another.

This library will join the more than 60,000 established across the world, with millions of books exchanged each year, according to littlefreelibrary.org.

Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell wholeheartedly supported Godfrey’s endeavor.

“It’s wonderful,” Grennell said. “Anytime you can encourage people to read, I think it’s a great thing,” Grennell said.

The board voted unanimously to allow Godfrey to install the library at Duncan Park.

Just a few months ago, local teacher Betty Jo Harris installed Natchez’s second Little Free Library on the bluff, located at 640 S. Canal St. The city’s original library is located at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in the lobby of the Tom Reed Academic Building.

Anyone interested in Little Free Library can visit the aforementioned website for more information, including a map of all locations, instructions for building a library and how to donate to the organization.