The town of Mendenhall is the latest in Simpson County to get a Little Free Library (LFL). Located in Alice Davis Park on Main Street, this LFL is the result of the efforts of Vickie Everett, alderman-at-large.
Everett explained, “I had wanted to do it for a while. Then I started reading about it. I talked to Todd (Mayor Booth) to make sure it was okay for me to put it there because I wanted it somewhere in town. He said ‘sure.’”
The blue box was donated by a friend, Donna Magee, whose husband had built it several years ago. “It’s a really nice house. I have a friend, Shelly Maraio, who does wonderful work; she painted it for me.”
It was put in the park in early summer 2023 once the application had been approved and everything was in place. The motto of the LFL is “take a book, leave a book.” Everett added, “If somebody would get a book, take it home and read it to their child I would just as soon they keep it.”
Everett wanted the little free library because she saw a need for local children to access books on the weekends and afternoons. The placement in the park was from a desire for people to utilize it more too. In addition, there are more children’s books in the LFL than adult ones. “My hope was that parents would bring the kids up and let them get a book, sit around and read.” There is also a box within the LFL that offers free items other than books to kids.
Mendenhall’s LFL has been well received. Everett is excited to see pictures on Facebook of those using it whether it is with children or grandchildren. People have told her how much they appreciate it and she hopes it will continue to foster a love of reading.
Everett is the steward, keeping the LFL stocked with new books. She visits weekly on Friday afternoons to refresh the supply. Everett inherited her mother’s love of reading and has passed it on to her two adult children. She is also a member of the Mendenhall Library Book Club, reading books she might not otherwise read. “The more you read the better you read. If I can get someone to enjoy read-ing it’s all been worth it to me.”
The Little Free Library was founded in 2009 in Wisconsin. Now there are 150,000 registered boxes in 120 countries and all 50 states. Mississippi boasts 40-50 statewide. The Library of Congress also houses a Little Free Library.
