Two More Little Libraries Get Big Makeover Before Winter Sets In

DEDHAM, MA - Dedham Library Innovation Team’s (D-LIT) Dedham Little Free Library Project has announced the complete restoration of several more of the popular-but-weatherbeaten little lending libraries located across town. With support from Dedham Cultural Council and Dedham Savings Community Foundation, DLIT commissioned artist/muralist Sal D'Antona to repaint libraries where the artist who did the original design was not available. D’Antona graduated from Dedham High School In 1991, attended the Art Institute of Boston, and studied animation in Los Angeles, and has become a go-to resource for many public art projects in the area.

D’Antona kicked off the restoration work by repainting and installing new and improved hardware on the little free library in Dedham Square at the corner of the Keystone parking lot at the corner of Eastern Ave. & High Street, which was originally painted by artist Marietta Apollonio and entitled “Head In The Clouds, Feet In The Trees.”

More recently, D’Antona and his daughter Ava just completed the repainting and varnishing of the little library on Barnes Memorial Field next to the Maryanne Lewis playground. This library was originally painted by artist Lisa Houckwho has relocated to Maine, and was unavailable to do the restoration work.

The artistic duo then moved on to repaint and restore the little free library located in the Manor neighborhood near Terri’s Market. D’Antona and his daughter restored the library’s design, which was originally painted by Dedham artist Cindy Mootz who sadly passed away on April 2nd of this year. Joan and Dan Connors did the reconstruction work on Cindy’s library, which was in urgent need of structural repair. The Connors also built and painted an all-new little library that will be installed in the Manor neighborhood’s new Trenton Road playground, slated for completion this fall.

Other libraries in the process of being restored by the original artists:
1) Colburn/ Whitehall Street Triangle Park - “Victorian Roses” painted by artist Sarah Edson
2) Oakdale Square, “Stars & Stripes” painted by young artist Luke Barry
3) Endicott MBTA Station, “Poppies” painted by Artist Sue Delaney Hoy
4) Dedham Corporate MBTA station, “Celebrating Dedham Pottery” painted by artist/educator Clarissa Robyn.

Paul Reynolds, director of the Little Free Library Restoration Project, shared, “The goal is to have all these libraries repainted, varnished, and outfitted with new naval brass fixtures before winter sets in. If continued fundraising is successful, DLIT hopes to continue additional restorations next spring when warmer weather returns.”

DLIT's Dedham Little Free Library Project is an officially chartered member of the national Little Free Libraries initiative, which numbers over 100,000 little libraries in 108 countries. The libraries serve all ages from children to seniors. Use of the libraries is free - and books are all donated by the community. For general information about D-LIT’s Dedham Little Free Library Project, the public is invited to join the group’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/dedhamlittlefreelibrary. Additional information about the Dedham Library Innovation Team is available on its website: www.DLITdedham.com.

Those interested in providing financial support for DLIT’s Little Free Libraries Restoration Project, can contact dlit.team@gmail.com or send a check to DLIT, 164 Munroe Street, Dedham, MA. 02026. Donations can also be made via the DLIT Paypal account: https://tinyurl.com/supportDLIT. DLIT, Inc. is a 501 c3 non-profit organization. EIN# 45-1585594.