CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - They’re Baack!  In 2015 a partnership between the Citrus Heights History and Arts Commission, Citrus Heights Rotary, San Juan High School (SJHS) and Lowe’s brought into being 20 Little Free Libraries to be set up throughout the City of Citrus Heights. Twenty businesses, organizations and families each donated $500 to sponsor the building of the libraries and maintain and help keep them stocked with books along with donations from the Sylvan Library.

A Little Free Library is a box full of books, for both children and adults where anyone may visit to pick out a book and bring back another book to share. Books which are officially donated are stamped as property of the Little Library to prohibit the sale of the books elsewhere or the boxes being used for inappropriate books or advertising of any kind.

Funds raised were used to promote awareness of the work of the History and Arts Commission and the City’s historical buildings.  Lowe’s donated the wood and materials for the original construction and students at San Juan High School Woodworking class built them as a replica of the original Sylvan Schoolhouse. On April 11, 2015, members of the Rotary came together on International Rotary at Work Day to install the boxes in 20 different locations throughout Citrus Heights. Together with other volunteers and members of the SJHS football team the project was completed.

However, in the seven years since the launch of the program only the library at Lichen Park has survived unscathed. Nine of the 20 libraries have been vandalized but could be repaired. Over the years the final 10 were stolen or destroyed beyond repair. In October of 2021 those vandalized were removed to be repaired by San Juan High School’s shop classes.

Thanks to another collaboration, the Little Free Libraries of Citrus Heights are back! On March 22, after five months of repair, the first of the repaired libraries was reinstalled at the Sylvan Community Center with a new metal pole and stronger construction. Roy and Mary McAlister, the Library’s sponsors work hard to keep it stocked.  On May 7, another Rotary at Work Day will see the last 18 boxes installed, some back in their original spots. Others will find a new home where more vandalism is less likely. Each library will again have a plaque with the name of donors and an official box number stamped on it. To date there are and over 100,000 Little Free Libraries in 108 countries in the world. Look for one in a neighborhood near you!