Legacy Place Unveils New Little Free Library

Legacy Place, in partnership with Dedham Library Innovation Team’s Dedham Little Free Library Project, is thrilled to announce the unveiling of the newest mini lending library in Dedham. The event, scheduled for 12:00–3:00PM, Saturday, March 5th, will feature the unveiling of the 7th Dedham Little Free Library installation, followed by celebrity guest readers, and a “bring a book, get a book” book swap. This newest lending library was hand painted by New York Times #1 best-selling author/illustrator Peter H. Reynolds, whose books include the Judy Moody and Stink series, as well as internationally-acclaimed storybooks such as The Dot, Ish, Sky Color, I Am Yoga and Going Places. The event is part of Legacy Place’s WinterFest Event Series.

The unveiling event will take place in the lower level lobby of Showcase Cinema de Lux. The book swap will take place all afternoon and guest readings will occur every 15 minutes. Peter H. Reynolds, who titled his design “Our Little Library,” will be on hand for the inauguration of the new installation, and will kick off the afternoon’s schedule of storytime readers.

Schedule of Readers:

12:00PM Peter H. Reynolds and Paul A. Reynolds reading Going Places, recent winner of the Library of Congress MassBook Award for Best Picture Book of the Year.

12:30PM Board of Selectman Chairperson Mike Butler

12:45PM Selectman Jim MacDonald

1:00PM State Representative Paul McMurty

1:15PM Dedham Public Library Branch Manager, Lisa Ingemi

1:30PM Award-winning Author, Josh Funk reading acclaimed picture book Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast.

1:45PM Reader to be announced

2:00PM Special reading by Whole Foods Market

2:15PM Special reading by GAP

2:30PM Special reading by recently opened Hanna Andersson

DLIT’s Co-Founder Paul Reynolds notes, “We’re delighted to have Legacy Place sponsor and host one of our Dedham Little Free Libraries. As a regional shopping and entertainment destination point that draws millions of shopper visits each year, the location at Legacy Place gives welcome exposure to our community literacy project.”

Looking like large, decorated mailboxes with hinged doors, residents all across Dedham are encouraged to “give a book or take a book” from these little libraries, which have been painted by student artists from Dedham High School and community artists from Dedham. East Dedham’s Curtis-Newton Lumber and the Dedham Lowe’s provided lumber and hardware for the project.

Dedham’s individually-decorated mini lending libraries have been built by Dedham High School students and painted by both students and community artists. The locations, titles and artists of the other six fully-painted and installed little libraries are as follows:

1) Dedham Town Hall, 26 Bryant Street – “Little Red Schoolhouse” built and painted by DHS students

2) Dedham Square Keystone Lot, Corner of Eastern Ave. & High Street – “Head In The Clouds, Feet In The Trees” painted by Marietta Apollonio

3) Endicott MBTA Commuter Rail Station, Corner of Grant and Elmwood Avenues – “Poppies” painted by Susan Hoy

4) Veteran’s Road Housing Complex/East Dedham – “Library in the Leaves” painted by Rev. Rali Weaver

5) Maryanne Lewis Playground at Barnes Memorial Park on Eastern Avenue, “Pattern Recognition” painted by Lisa Houck

6) Oakdale Square, Church of the Good Shepherd, 62 Cedar Street, “Stars & Stripes” painted by Luke Barry

To build the little libraries, DLIT 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 Bolduc, and Art Teacher Maureen O’Sullivan.

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 schoolteacher. 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 and foster a sense of community and connection as we share skills, creativity and wisdom across generations. To learn more, explore the project’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/dedhamlittlefreelibrary.

ABOUT DLIT

The Dedham Library Innovation Team, an award-winning non-­profit library advocacy group, is an open and welcoming community group of those who understand the increasingly critical value of today’s modern library as the community’s innovative catalyst for life-long learning. 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 modern, best-­in‐class, vibrant library system in Dedham, MA. For more information, follow the group on Twitter at @DLIT_Dedham, or check out the group’s Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/DedhamLibraryInnovationTeam

ABOUT LEGACY PLACE

Legacy Place offers an electric shopping, dining and entertainment experience with a selection of 78 leading brands, including Whole Foods Market, Kings Bowl, Showcase Cinema de Lux, Apple, Anthropologie, Shake Shack, L.L Bean, Madewell, Free People and lululemon. Since opening in 2009, the outdoor shopping center has continued to be the region’s leading shopping destination for its ability to set retail trends, support non-profits, and create dynamic events. Legacy Place is a joint venture between WS Development and National Amusements. For more information, visit www.legacyplace.com and follow Legacy Place on social media: @legacyplace on Instagram and Twitter; Legacy Place on Facebook.

ABOUT WS DEVELOPMENT:

One of the largest privately owned retail development firms in the U.S., WS Development develops, owns, manages and leases a portfolio of more than 88 properties totaling over 20 million sf, with an additional 4 million sf under development. At each of its open-air lifestyle centers, power centers, community centers, and mixed-use developments, WS is committed to long-term investments built on trust, respect, and teamwork.
Visit wsdevelopment.com, call 617.232.8900 and follow @WSDevelopment on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin.