RECENT COMMENTS
New Little Free Library outside of Buzzy’s
The February issue of the CHA Newsletter has word on a new place to share books in the area:
There is another Little Free Library in the neighborhood thanks to Jean McDaniel, Garnett Ryland and Chuck Wrenn. Located
at 27th and East Broad Street it has an adult shelf and a children’s shelf.Chuck and Jean designed and constructed the Little Free Library using artifacts and salvaged materials from their homes. Garnett did the roof, hung the door, and made the knobs fit! Those of you who have renovated an old house will recognize some of the “pieces” used in the construction.
This Little Free Library will be maintained and appropriate material offered by Jean and her husband Garnett. Any donations will be gratefully accepted at 2810 East Grace Street.
The new book box should be stocked by this afternoon, and joins the other Little Free Library at Marshall and 27th and the big free library at 25th an R Streets as neighborhood resources for free books.
Thank you John!!!!!
Nice work Jean! Hopefully it’s flowerpot-proof?
GREAT!
Great addition to the neighborhood. Thanks, neighbors!
Can you say CAR and encroachment on city sidewalk?
Thank you for your nice comments. Chuck Wrenn and my husband did all the hard work! As soon as it gets wired to the building ( to prevent tipping over ), we will fill it up.
I go to a Dentist who has the best magazines in his waiting room, ( Dr Maury Hubbard ). He will be contributing on a regular basis.
coffee
Can you look in the mirror and say, “WHAT A JERK I SEE”? If you don’t like it, don’t use it and walk around it!
All necessary permissions were obtained before it was even built. I am sure that some near by neighbors will file claims with City Council that it is a public hazzard. After all, somebody might stand on THEIR sidewalk and look at a magazine or book!
Since this is surrounded by the contentious neighbors, Jean, why don’t you post the permit & CAR approval and thus pre-empt another battle?
#6 seriously???? Are you against the one in front of WPA too??? You don’t want anyone reading in the neigjbourhood? What is wrong with some of the people in this community?? wtf???
Please forgive my typos….anger causes me to make mistakes.
bill2
First , THIS DOES NOT REQUIRE CAR APPROVAL!
Second, the two well known, “contentiious” neighbors across the street from this Little Free Library have already shown their displeasure over it’s existance. We observed this yesterday when we were puttting the books and magazines in.
Third, should they choose to engage in “another battle”, there is nothing I or anyone else can do to stop them. I look forward to the attack ad ,”your neighborhood could be next, literacy run rampent”,
with images of peoples heads bent over a book,
If these people are inclined to object, it is rheir right, but I am not afraid of combat!
Or perhaps we could all calm the fuck down and stop being assholes to each other.
Jean, Garnett and Chuck:
Thank you for doing this. These are the things that make a neighborhood special and build community. It’s much appreciated.
This looks great! Very well done.
here we go again. some people, man. some people.
Why would anyone object to a little free library?? This one at Capt. Buzzy’s is really nice. I say let’s get some more of them out in Church Hill!! Urban Farmhouse, Sub Rosa, Union Market – your turn! It’s good for the patrons of these establishments and great for the community. I live close to the Urban Farmhouse and I can contribute some $, books, and time (I have no carpentry skills but I can assist 🙂 to bring a little free library to 33rd and Marshall. Anyone else want to help me??
My sentiments exactly, Jon Ondrak.
As much as I love the library, it’s a shame we couldn’t have made a “little free bar” instead.
Have extra liquor you don’t need? Donate it to the bar!
Need a shot in your coffee? Stop by the little free bar!
Love this! Id love to contribute some books!
Alex
Don’t tell my husband how much I love you! He is a non drinker…no, he did have a beer once but didn’t like it!
@Alex- Okay fine, you will not run for mayor, CHA president or be emperor of the little free libraries. How ’bout head bartender of the “little free bars”?
Although I am scared that donations will be that old dusty bottle of vermouth in the spice rack…
@Alex – no reason we can’t all contribute and treat it as the ‘Little Free Bar’. It’s the new ABC. Alcohol, Books, and Coffee.
#12
Jean, you were the one who said you had all the necessary approvals – I just suggested you post them to avoid another controversy but it sounds like you’re baiting the neighbors.
It’s a structure, attached to a building in a historic district, plainly visible & encroaching on a public sidewalk. Of course it needs a permit, which I’m not seeing online, & you’ve lived here long enough to know that if it shows from the sidewalk or the alley, it needs CAR approval.
@24 – you read my mind…
[puts dusty old vermouth and triple sec bottles back in my liquor cabinet]
@26… I hope you’re joking. If you’re not, you are being ridiculous to force an issue like this. Certainly both you and CAR have much more important issues to attack. How about channeling that energy to the abandoned and dilapidated houses in the neighborhood that code enforcement hasn’t addressed?
I think the idea of the free libraries are great! I do wonder though how the term “appropriate material” is being defined as stated in the original post? Unless it’s a clear-as-day “no porn” policy, having 1 person in charge of deeming whether or not a book is “appropriate” is a slippery slope.
Bill2
This is not a permanent structure. It is less than 10×10 feet. It is not encroaching on the sidewalk. It is 12 inches deep. It was not created to cause discord, or “another battle”. Nothing about it is in the least objectionable.
I am not baiting anybody!
I have lived here long enough to recognize ASS HOLES when I see them staring at me across the street and I question your motives for posting your first post. If you or anyone else wants to make an issue or complain to the City, do it. You cannot do so with anonymity.
This is not the first time I have been attacked by YOU. I have hard copies of all postings concerning me. You are making a non issue into an issue. Why, I don’t know!
I don’t see how this is really “encroaching on a public sidewalk”. It hardly sticks out. It’s nothing compared to the trash cans that get left out in the walkways. I see positive outcomes from this and those fighting this are clearly very unhappy people who just need something to be angry about. Also, for a historic district, I think this is very thoughtfully and tastefully built. Well done!
# 29
In order to do a LFL and have it registered, you have to have an individual pay a fee and agree to maintain that location. That means keeping it clean, safe and free of inappropriate material.
Since I regestered this LFL at 27th and East Broad St. I am that individual.
Here is the clear as day policy.
NO porn
NO offensive flyers such as KKK stuff
NO books or material that would in any way be detremental to children
AND anything else I determine to be unacceptable
I accepted this responsibility by agreeing to the terms and conditions of registering the LFL, paying the fee and making the time commitment.
I tend to be of a conservative nature and the material will follow that. Don’t see anything slippery about that.
Thanks for stepping up Ondrak – it only took a couple of years…
Really???? I think most of us are decent enough that we don’t need to worry about porn popping up in the library. Besides, those that aren’t probably want to keep their stash for themselves. Even if some weirdo decides it’s a good idea to share their vintage copies of Shag magazine, the library isn’t exactly kid height here.
Let’s not get our panties in a twist about non-issues folks. Say thanks to Jean and her husband for the gift and let’s move on.
Alex
The bottom shelf IS delibretly kid height with a small door knob placed low. Although there is presently a lot of child friendly stuff, ( thanks in part to the public library’s annual book give away)
I would like to have a consistant source. Anybody have any ideas please let me know.
I agree with you about non-issues—lets move on!
A ‘little library’ that makes a point based on location. Does anyone else not living on the Hill think that some of these folks are really crazy?
#37, Agreed! It’s pathetically amusing. The usual suspects “quack” me up.
Church Hill’s unofficial motto – “Don’t give us nice things!”
@Alex- Since when is asking questions “getting our panties in a twist?” I said I thought it was great and asked a clarifying question. You seem to be the one with an issue here.
John M
Could you post the Little Free Library that got a knitted sweater? I thought it was so cute!
“NO books or material that would in any way be detremental to children
AND anything else I determine to be unacceptable”
That’s ambiguous at best. What you deem unacceptable could extend to anything. Literature by its nature should be free of political persuasion. Is Stephen King inappropriate? Harry Potter? Huck Finn? All have been deemed as inappropriate for children in some circles. Moreover, should we let parents decide what their children shouldn’t read?
A community library is a great idea. But it would be good to know that I can donate book that won’t be tossed based on an individuals conservative opinion.
#42
What I deem unacceptable could extend to anything! Therefore,
I strongly suggest that to protect yourself from your fear of having a donated book “tossed”, you refrain from doing so.
What began as a lovely idea has disintegrated into an absurd argument. Most days, I’m proud to live in Church Hill; I love that we all look out for one another’s pets and strays, and that our local police are such good people. Then I unfortunately read your nasty digs at one another and am embarrassed for you.
laura (No. 29): I totally agree. I wish CAR or the City would take an interest in the dilapidated eyesore at the southwest corner of E. Grace at 27th Street. This little library is a good thing for the neighborhood – I can’t fathom why anyone would object to it, unless it’s because they have some sort of personal problem with those who built and supplied it. That is familiar refrain in this neighborhood.
Neighbor
And others who have been positive, Thank You! I will do my best to keep this LFL as an enjoyable treat to the neighborhood.
Neighbor. You summed it up perfectly.
John murden, on this note, this should end here.
You people amaze me. Keep your personal agendas out of this resource for the community. There are many homes here that would benefit from some free reading material. Perhaps we try supporting others who are trying to make small improvements.
Jean, try talking to Chop Suey Books for options to replenish the book supply. They buy used books and get a fair amount of donations. If they knew of our growing little libraries I’m sure they could send books our way, or would know of other resources in Richmond.
@45 Neighbor. I’ve often been curious about the house you mention on E Grace. It’s a wonderful building that given some love, could be a knockout. I may be wrong here but **I think** someone lives in it. It’s sad but maybe an elderly person?
As for the LFL’s around…thanks to everyone who dedicated (and will dedicate) their time and energy to this project. It’s a great one and awesome for the neighborhood. For the naysayers, get off it already! You need to find a better use for the idle time on your hands. Thank you Jean and clan, Ms. Cooley and clan, and I’m sure… tons of others. Great project!
Jon Ondrak – Please let me know if you are really going to work on a LFL for 33rd and Marshall. I’d love to help and I live in that block.
bozatwork
Thanks for the “Chop Suey” tip. I will follow up on it Monday.
Jon and Lucky Canine
I have a good supply of lumber/artifacts/paint for the 33rd St. LFL if you are interested.
@Jean #49 & @Lucky Canine #50, I’m currently discussing the idea with the owner of the property, and the Urban Farmhouse Market @ Lava Lofts. I’ll advise further, but please do not hesitate to email me at jon.ondrak@gmail.com
Thanks!
I think it’s great! And for the nay sayers get a life and find something real to worry about-
For srrrrs, when did the vicinity of 27th & Broad turn into the “we’re out of coffee” scene from Airplane?
I don’t see any nay sayers – only individuals questioning potential problematic situations.