Dedham Library Innovation Team Unveils Three More "Little Free Libraries"

DEDHAM, MA – The non-profit library advocacy group Dedham Library Innovation Team (D-LIT) has announced the installation of two more mini lending libraries as part its Dedham Little Free Library Project. The two new libraries have been sited at the pedestrian entrance into Dedham Square’s Keystone free parking lot, and the Endicott MBTA Commuter Rail station at the corner of Elmwood and Grant Avenues. The library at the Dedham Square location, titled “Head In The Clouds, Feet In The Trees”, was painted by Dedham Square Artist Guild Co-Founder and Artist Marietta Apollonio. Artist Susan Hoy painted the library at the Endicott station, which is named “Poppies.”

The program’s organizers note that more little libraries are on the way, including those painted by community artists, as well as budding artists at Dedham High School. Libraries are being installed on a rolling schedule over the next few months, and a visual map detailing each library’s location will be made available later this fall.

Looking like large, decorated mailboxes with hinged doors, residents are encouraged to “give a book or take a book”. The Blue Bunny Bookstore in Dedham Square has already stocked the newly installed libraries with books for young and older readers, as have other community members who are quickly pitching in. Everyone is encouraged to use and contribute books, as well as volunteer to maintain the libraries on an ongoing basis.

LITTLE LIBRARY #1 was painted by students to look like a schoolhouse, was installed at Town Hall (26 Bryant Street) this past spring and continues to be frequented by readers and project supporters. Here is an overview of the next four libraries - along with artist statements:

LITTLE LIBRARY #2

Title: “Head In The Clouds, Feet In The Trees”

Location: Dedham Square, Keystone Lot Entrance. Corner of High and East Street.

Artist: Marietta Apollonio

Artist Statement: “As an avid reader of fiction (and some non-fiction), I believe everyone should experience the wonder of getting lost in a book — in a world not like our own, where imagination can run wild and take you to new places. The dual nature of these libraries as works of art and literacy made this a project I was excited to be involved in. I approached this project without a plan, open to where the library would take me, like an adventure book from childhood.”

Artist Bio: Marietta Apollonio is a freelance artist, born and raised along the Hudson River, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Illustration from The Art Institute of Boston (now Lesley University College of Art and Design). She is a resident of Dedham, MA, and cofounder of a cooperative artist gallery—the Dedham Square Artist Guild. An active participant in artistic community-driven endeavors, she participated in the Dedham Public Art Project in 2012, the Dedham Shines Utility Box project in 2012-2013, and most recently the Dedham Little Free Library Project. She has participated in numerous group shows throughout Massachusetts, including Breaking Ground, a juried alumni show in January 2015 at the Lunder Center For The Arts. Using various mediums, she is a creator of illustrations, children’s books, rhymes and whimsies.

LITTLE LIBRARY #3

Name of Library: Poppies

Location: Endicott MBTA Commuter Rail station at the corner of Elmwood and Grant Avenues

Artist Name: Susan Hoy

Artist Statement: “I was happy to be part of this projects because it promotes reading and public art. It gets people talking and brings the community together.”

Artist Bio: Sue Hoy is a painter and teacher. Educated at UMASS Dartmouth (BFA Visual Design) and Museum of Fine Arts Boston (Studio Art/Painting), Hoy’s public art projects include: Abby Park Restaurant, Milton, MA, Outdoor Mural, 2014, Dedham Utility Box Art Initiative 2014 (“Honey Bees” & “Birches”), Dedham Public Art Project’s 5’ Fiberglass Rabbit “Lady Bugs Bunny”, 2013. Her inspiration comes the endless beauty of New England, particularly farms and beaches. Choosing subjects that capture attention and emotion, Sue strives to simplify shape and color to reflect the essence of her subject. Her voyage toward simplicity versus over-working and illustrating with paint is ongoing.

After painting one of the giant fiberglass rabbits for Dedham’s 375th anniversary, Sue became a member of the Dedham Square Artist Guild. She recently completed a large out door mural in Milton. Her paintings have been in numerous shows in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Sue also teaches ceramics to children and adults in Milton and Quincy. She lives with her husband and 3 children in Milton, MA.

LITTLE LIBRARY #4

Library Name: Stars and Stripes

Location: Church of the Good Shepherd, Oakdale Square

Artist: Luke Barry

Artist’s Mom: Jill Barry

Artist Statement: “Luke is 10 years old and just started the 5th grade. He was diagnosed with autism at age two, and has always had a passion for drawing. He takes his crayons and paper with him wherever he goes, and his unique perspective and attention to detail make his art joyful, interesting, and fun.

As his Mom (Jill Barry), this project was really fun to watch unfold. It was the first time I was able to observe Luke execute a plan from start to finish, and the first time he was able to verbalize his idea ahead of time. Aside from painting the base colors and the stripes, which was “Mom’s job” he completed this project entirely on his own.

The only passion Luke has that is bigger than drawing is parades. His absolute favorite day of the year is June 14th and it is always spent cheering on Dedham’s Flag Day parade. Luke’s design is a celebration of the Dedham community, its festive spirit, and our beautiful flag.”

Dedham Little Library Project Background

The Dedham Little Library Project was the brainchild of DLIT member Emily Gibbons who reached out for help from Paul Reynolds who had launched the Dedham Public Art Project in 2011, which eventually brought 15 giant, community artist-painted rabbit sculptures to Dedham. Reynolds successfully sought out and secured an official charter (#5053) with the national Little Free Library initiative (http://littlefreelibrary.org/), which has spurred the creation and installation of well over 32,000 community-created little libraries in 62 countries with now over 1 million books shared annually.

Next, to build the little libraries, the DLIT duo partnered with Dedham High School working directly with Director of Technology and Libraries Don Langenhorst, and DHS faculty teams, which included Engineering & Construction Teachers Steve Dewar (now retired) and Dave Haluska, as well as Fine Arts Director Jeff Buldoc, and Art Teacher Maureen O’Sullivan. Supplies were donated by East Dedham’s Curtis-Newton Lumber and Lowe’s.

To engage community artists, the DLIT team reached out to Dedham Square Artist Guild’s Kerry Hawkins and Jennifer Barsamian, who also founded and runs Dedham Open Studios. As Barsamian, who is now Co-Director of the Dedham Little Free Library Project, notes, “This project seemed like a natural “public-art-meets-literacy project” that would benefit the community and continue to build Dedham’s accelerating reputation as a town of learning & the arts.”

To cover the ongoing expenses of the project, The Dedham Little Library Project is looking for financial support from those who are passionate about “building literacy across our community”. Annual lead sponsorship of each location is $75.00 per year. These tax-deductible donations can be made by contacting DLIT: DLIT.team@gmail.com or mailing a check made payable to “Dedham Library Innovation Team” to 164 Monroe Street, Dedham, MA 02026.

Explore Dedham Little Free Library Project’s Facebook page for more information or to join the project as a volunteers, book donors, or sponsors: https://www.facebook.com/dedhamlittlefreelibrary

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ABOUT DLIT:

A registered 501 c3 non-profit organization, The Dedham Library Innovation Team is an open and welcoming community group of those who understand the increasingly critical value of today’s modern library. To that end, the group is committed to creating collaborative, positive partnerships between the libraries, schools, public officials, businesses, and residents in order to support the strategic vision and development of a best-in-class, vibrant public library system in Dedham, MA. For more information, follow the group on Twitter at @DLIT_Dedham, check out the group’s Facebook page, or explore http://www.dedhamlibraryinnovationteam.com.

ABOUT LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES:

The Little Free Library Project was originally founded by Todd Bol. Bol designed the first “little library” built on a post as a tribute to his mother, who was a book lover and school teacher. As the concept spread, the goal was the creation of 2,150 Little Libraries, which would surpass the number of libraries founded by Andrew Carnegie. The mission of the Little Free Library movement is to:

· Promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges worldwide.

· Foster a sense of community and connection as we share skills, creativity and wisdom across generations.

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Project Co-Directors:

Paul Reynolds 617-610-5801 Paul@ReynoldsTLC.org

Jennifer Barsamian, Dedham Square Artist Guild

Advisory Committee

Emily Gibbons, Dedham Library Innovation Team

Kristen Overman, Dedham Library Innovation Team

Don Langenhorst, Dedham High School

Janet Reynolds, Blue Bunny Bookstore

NY Times Best-Selling Author/Illustrator, Peter H. Reynolds

Find us on Facebook: “Dedham Little Free Library Project”