Little Free Library coming to community

Published 11:18 pm Friday, July 15, 2016

: PLANNING: Kay Kay DeRossette, standing, leads an organizational meeting Wednesday to begin a Little Free Library in Vicksburg. Currently there are more than 40,000 registered Little Free Library book exchanges in the U.S.

British novelist, C.S. Lewis is quoted in saying, “We read to know we are not alone.”

For those looking to connect, the Little Free Library book exchange takes this literarily.

Started in 2009 in Wisconsin, Little Free Library was designed not only to help promote a love of reading, but as means of bringing people together who want to share their favorite books with the community.

On Wednesday, a group of locals gathered together at The Church of the Holy Trinity to learn more about the book exchange and how to begin the process of bringing this concept to Vicksburg.

Kay Kay DeRossette, the initiator of the local project said 15 people were in attendance, and the ball has already begun rolling on a Little Free Library book exchange in the River City.

“Three individuals have already signed up to be stewards, and another individual is approaching two community organizations that might want to be stewards as well. Also, one family has committed to building, sponsoring, and being the steward for the Little Free Library in their neighborhood,” DeRossette said.

A Little Free Library is a box built in any shape or size, and is placed in areas of the community for a “take a book, return a book” free book exchanges.

A steward’s job for these “little libraries” is to stay up-to-date on the activities of the structure, protect the integrity of the library itself, make sure the library is orderly and be able to speak with the media to help promote the Little Free Library movement.

DeRossette, who was introduced to Little Free Libraries in Fayetteville, Ark., said plans were also in the works with the chamber of commerce to apply for the Little Free Libraries Vicksburg Project to be a community fund.

“If approved by their board, people will be able to make monetary donations for this project directly to the chamber of commerce, which will help get these Little Free Libraries registered with the national organization, put these on the Little Free Library map, and provide funding for building material and other supplies like books,” she said.

DeRossette has already met with Mayor George Flaggs Jr. in getting the city’s approval on the project and said he is in full support of the project.

Next week, DeRossette said she plans to meet with the city’s Community Development Office to make no policy changes need to be made for these libraries to be placed on public property around town.

“Besides that we are just looking for people that want to help build Little Free Libraries and donate money for supplies and registration,” she said.

For more information on how to get involved locally, email khdeross@gmail.com and for more information on Little Free Libraries, visit littlefreelibrary.org.

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

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