Little Free Library In Orange Fosters Community Engagement, Spirit

ORANGE, CT – When Jackie Babe and her husband (name) moved to Orange, their neighbors introduced themselves and were incredibly welcoming. Babe and her husband, Roberto Velez, decided to start a Little Free Library to foster more engagement and community spirit.

“I’ve always wanted a Little Free Library,” she said. “I think they are a great way to build a community of readers. I’m a huge fan of reading and literacy initiatives.

"I wanted to start an impromptu book club of sorts," Babe added.

The new Little Free Library, called Summit Little Library, is on the corner of Summit Drive and Crestwood Terrace.

Summit Little Library can be followed on both Facebook and Instagram.

Babe said she’s not sure if they are the first to have a Little Free Library in Orange, but as of right now, theirs is the only official one on the website.

“We are hopefully starting a trend,” she said.

Babe said many children are in their neighborhood, and the Little Free Library is a great way to teach them how great it is to share.

“Sharing these books and having other neighbors or friends read them allows you to connect with them through the stories,” she said. “

Another reason why The Babe’s wanted to start the Little Free Library was to ensure their neighbors had access to books.

“I know there are some people who are older and little kids, and they can’t get to the library or order books,” she said. “I think everybody should have access to books and be able to share stories this way.”

Babe said the reaction they’ve received from their neighborhood and the Town of Orange, in general, has been positive.

“I was worried the library was just going to sit out there and no one was going to care, but it’s been so great,” she said. “We have a little guest book in it, and people have been writing in the guest book about how they took this book but donated this other one.”

Babe said they would sometimes do yard work, and neighbors would pass by to thank them for the Little Library.

“We’ve been able to meet a lot of new neighbors, and people have discussed the books they’ve taken and reading,” she said. “We’ve had many young people come in and donate their favorite childhood books and exchange them for others. So, it’s just been wonderful. I feel like we are all becoming a community over here in a way we weren’t before.”