New Little Free Library Installed in Dedham's Historic Manor Neighborhood

DEDHAM, MA – Dedham Library Innovation Team (DLIT) recently unveiled its 11th little free library in Dedham’s historic Manor neighborhood at the corner of Sherman and Louise Road on space generously provided by Terri’s Market. This installation was a collaboration between DLIT and Manor Neighborhood Association, with support from the Dedham Square Artist Guild. Built by Dedham High School students, this newest little library was painted by Dedham resident, artist Cindy Mootz. The public is now invited to lend and take books from the new library.

Mootz has named her design "Under the Stars", which is a vibrantly colored streetscape of narrow houses under a cobalt blue evening sky filled with stars above. A Dedham resident and member of the Dedham Square Artist Guild, Mootz became seriously focused on her art about twenty years ago while working as a hand therapist. While she paints in watercolor, oil and acrylic, she also is known for her monotype printmaking. She is an active member of the Monotype Guild of New England, and enjoys playing with color and composition and her art tends to have a whimsical quality.

Explaining her inspiration for her painting her little library, Mootz shares, "I chose this design as I wanted something that was colorful, whimsical and inviting. I also like the idea of imagining people in their homes at night, possibly curled up with a good book!”

To coordinate the project, DLIT worked with Jim Maher, Manor Neighborhood Association-President, who also serves on Parks and Recreation and lives in the Manor neighborhood. Maher notes, “The Manor Neighborhood Association is excited to be part of DLIT’s Dedham Little Free Library network. Our children have enjoyed using the Little Free Libraries around town, and now get to enjoy them in their own backyard! We appreciated this great effort by the Dedham Library Innovation Team, Dedham High, local artist Cindy Mootz and Dedham Square Artist Guild’s Co-Founder Kerry Hawkins for making this Little Free Library come to fruition.”

Maher and Hawkins helped facilitate the project, and Town of Dedham’s Department of Public Works provided the installation of the little library. Hawkins worked to solicit local artists in the Dedham Square Artist Guild network, assisted artist Cindy Mootz, and provided photography support for the finished little library unveiling event.

Installed all across Dedham, the eleven individually decorated mini lending libraries were built by Dedham High School students and painted by both DHS students and community artists. Looking like a large, decorated mailboxes with a hinged doors, residents are encouraged to “give a book or take a book” from these little libraries. The Dedham Little Free Library project is an officially chartered member of the national Little Free Libraries initiative, which has spurred the creation and installation of well over 40,000 community-created little libraries in over 70 countries. DLIT’s very first little library, painted by students to look like a schoolhouse, was installed at Town Hall in 2014. Plans for two more little libraries are underway, which will finally complete the Dedham Little Free Library Project’s build and installation project.

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.

As founder of the Dedham Library Innovation Team, and founding member of the Dedham Public Art Project, which brought 15 giant rabbit sculptures to Dedham two years ago, Paul Reynolds notes, “DLIT was happy to collaborate with the Manor Neighborhood Association to help make Dedham’s commitment to literacy and learning visible all across town, and continue the accelerating revitalization of the Manor neighborhood.”

To help defray the ongoing expenses of the project, The Dedham Little Library Project continues to seek financial support from those who are passionate about “building literacy across our community.” 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

List of All 11 Installed Little Free Libraries in Dedham:

1) Dedham Town Hall, 26 Bryant Street – “Little Red Schoolhouse” built and painted by DHS students. Little Free Library Charter #10,741.

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 Stn, Corner of Grant & Elmwood Ave., “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

7) Dedham's Legacy Place @ Teavana, 950 Providence Highway, "Our Little Library" painted by NY Times best-selling Author/Illustrator Peter H. Reynolds

8) DHA Housing Complex @ Parker Staples Road, "A, B, Cs of Literacy" painted by Dedham High School, Class of 2016 alum Leah Badessa, Hannah Romanish, and Rachel Strykowski.

9) DHA Housing Complex @ High Street/O'Brien Way, "Dedham's Norfolk Tavern" painted by Dedham High School, Class of 2016 alum Leah Badessa, Hannah Romanish, and Rachel Strykowski.

10) Dedham Corporate MBTA Commuter Rail Station, Rustcraft Road Across Jefferson Place Apartments, “Celebrating Dedham Pottery” painted by Clarissa Robyn

11) Manor Neighborhood, the corner of Sherman and Louise Road at Terri’s Market, “Under The Stars” painted by Cindy Mootz

ABOUT DEDHAM LIBRARY INNOVATION TEAM (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 THE MANOR NEIGBHORHOOD ASSOCIATION:

A registered 501 c3 non-profit organization, The Manor Neighborhood Association exists today for several very important reasons. We are striving to ensure safer streets and homes, build community spirit and civic pride, and encourage camaraderie with neighbors and stronger relationships with local government. For more information, follow the Association on our Facebook page or Manorneighborhood@gmail.com

ABOUT DEDHAM SQUARE ARTIST GUILD:

Founded in October 2011, Dedham Square Artist Guild is Dedham's first artist cooperative, owned and operated by its members. We provide members of the cooperative a home for their work and opportunity to connect with the community, while striving to enrich the cultural life of all residents, through classes, workshops, art openings and more. The collection of work at the Guild encompasses a diverse style of art, including painting, photography, pottery, jewelry, monotype, wood, glass, textile and much more. For more info: www.dedhamguild.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dedha...

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

Jennifer Barsamian, Dedham Square Artist Guild

Advisory Committee

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