A request to begin a free book-sharing program based in downtown Oxford’s Centennial Park was approved 3-0 by the village council last week.
‘I think it’s a good idea,? said Councilwoman Rose Bejma.
The program would involve placing a box containing books inside the park. People would be welcome to take books for their own use and leave books for others to enjoy.
‘The benefit, I see, is to make a place where people of all ages can exchange books and exchange ideas,? said Dr. Catherine Willoughby, a teacher and media specialist at Oxford Middle School. She approached the village with the concept.
Basically, the box would operate like a 24-7 library except there would be no due dates, no late fees, no patron cards and no people saying, ‘Shhhh!?
‘I’ve seen this (concept) in other communities and I’ve seen it on TV,? said village President Sue Bossardet.
Willoughby got the idea after seeing this type of box in Lake Orion’s Children’s Park.
‘I thought it was very cool,? she said.
Willoughby runs the OMS book club known as ‘Pizza and Pages.? It meets monthly and works to promote literacy throughout the school.
‘I’d say about 15 kids show up regularly,? she said. ‘But we’ve had close to 30 before.?
She sees the book-sharing box as providing another venue for kids to have convenient access to free books, which in turn, can help boost childhood literacy and help cultivate a lifelong love of reading.
‘Having a town that is rich with (reading) opportunities and reading materials is good for the community,? she said.
The plan is for OMS to conduct a school-wide used book drive to initially stock the box.
‘It won’t just be for kids? books,? she noted. ‘There will be adult books in there. We’ll try to put in current titles.?
Inappropriate or offensive reading materials would not be permitted and would be removed if found. ‘Obivously, we’ll monitor it,? Willoughby said.
Willoughby has a parent who is willing to build the box. She plans to apply for a $300 grant through Lakes Community Credit Union to purchase the necessary materials.
‘They would let us know (if the grant was approved) by the end of January,? she said.
Given the community’s historical ties to the iconic Lone Ranger character, Willoughby would like the box’s appearance to reflect that theme. The late Brace Beemer, who lived in Oxford from 1942 until his death in 1965, used his distinctive, booming voice to portray the masked lawman on a coast-to-coast radio show from 1941-54.
‘Our box would definitely be unique,? she said. ‘It’s going to be focused on the town’s heritage.?
If all goes well, Willoughby hopes to eventually approach the township about placing a book-sharing box at the Kids Kingdom playground in Seymour Lake Township Park.