Bloomfield Gets ‘Little Free Library’ At Vassar Field

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The Little Free Library phenomenon has officially arrived in Bloomfield, and it’s all thanks to local lovers of the printed word.

Following a grassroots push spearheaded by a Bloomfield resident, one of the teeny-tiny, free book repositories was opened at Vassar Field on Aug. 12. Bloomfield now joins an estimated 36,000 communities to build one of the libraries, which allow people to “take a book” or “leave a book” for no cost.

“The addition of this Little Free Library will encourage more residents to not only visit our great township parks, but also share books in their neighborhoods,” Mayor Michael Venezia said. “I commend the residents who made this possible.”

Bloomfield Councilwoman Jenny Mundell credited local resident Jamie Goodman with starting the drive to bring the library to Vassar Field.

As part of an initial GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to get the ball rolling, Goodman wrote that town officials had conditionally approved the project… providing that she was able to raise the funds.

She wrote:

“My sons Mason and Riley love the playground at Vassar Field and want to share their books with the community, as well as enjoy the excitement of finding new books to read during their trips to the park. But the library is not just for children—adults can share books as well. A Little Free Library is a place where community members can take a book and leave a book at no cost. It is a waterproof shelter where books can be safely deposited in a public space. Little Free Libraries are aimed at promoting literacy and a love of reading, as well as building a sense of community.”

The campaign, which sought to raise money for a kit to create a Two Story Shed to house the books, a post and shipping costs, garnered $280. Goodman added that she planned to collect book donations to fill the library.

The Little Free Library effort in Bloomfield also owes thanks to Michael McCoppen’s Bloomfield High School woodshop students who assembled the shed, and Nicole Finnerty’s art students Jovensky Fenelon, Kate Mendez, Julie Mesuk and Luis Santana, who painted the library.

Randall Mora Castro of the Department of Public Works installed the finished library at Vassar Field, town officials said.

"This truly has been a community project," said Goodman. “I hope this Little Free Library will continue to spur a sense of community and bring neighbors together through reading."

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Photo via Jamie Goodman