Heather Renaud

I distributed my second Team LFL book bundle throughout Little Free Libraries in my local network and community. One thing I noticed this time was a significant difference in the variety of the books included. My first bundle was exceptional in its range, with high-quality books representing different ages, reading levels, genres, interests, and readers, which made it especially useful for thoughtfully stocking multiple community libraries.

This second bundle was much more heavily concentrated in children’s books, particularly English/Spanish bilingual titles, to the point that I initially wondered whether I had accidentally received a bundle intended specifically for younger or bilingual readers. Those books are absolutely valuable and were still distributed where they could be useful, but the narrower selection made it more difficult to serve the broad range of readers who use our neighborhood libraries.

Having now distributed two bundles, the biggest takeaway for me is how valuable variety is at the community level. A diverse assortment allows stewards to match books not only to different locations, but to the actual people and reading needs we encounter. I would love to see the broader range represented in my first bundle continue in future distributions.

Today was one of those days I know I’ll carry for a very long time.

I spent the day in the sun hauling books, signs, chalk, blankets, adaptive tools, and supplies across multiple community library spaces in Eastpointe. By the time I got home, I was physically exhausted, overheated, and running on fumes.

And then a young boy I had never met stopped by one of the sharing spaces, looked around quietly, and left. About fifteen minutes later, he came back with his older sister because he knew she needed what was there.

In that moment, none of the hauling mattered. None of the heat mattered. None of the exhaustion mattered.

I was reminded that libraries are never just about books. They are about dignity. About being seen. About neighbors quietly looking out for one another.

Today didn’t just feel like volunteering. It felt like witnessing what happens when people are given a space that says, you belong here. 🌱

This period really reinforced something I had been sensing: the interest in Little Free Libraries is already there—we just need to meet it with accessible pathways.

Through conversations with local officials, former council members, and small businesses, I consistently heard enthusiasm and a desire to be involved. What stood out most was how quickly people moved from curiosity to commitment when the idea was presented in a tangible, community-centered way.

On the ground, distributing books directly to kids and engaging with neighbors continues to show how powerful immediate access is. Small, consistent interactions are building trust and creating a visible culture of sharing.

One key insight from this experience is that onboarding works best when it starts with belonging. By informally welcoming both youth and adults into the work first—through recognition, participation, and shared identity—and then helping them complete registration afterward, I’ve seen stronger engagement and follow-through.

Overall, this period felt like a validation phase: confirming demand, identifying where systems can better support real-world participation, and demonstrating how quickly momentum builds when barriers are reduced.

During January 13–18, I visited the book-sharing boxes located at public parks throughout Eastpointe with the intention of restocking them. I transported a significant number of donated books for distribution.

Upon inspection, I determined that the existing park book boxes were not registered Little Free Libraries and were not structurally sufficient for weather exposure. All of them lacked adequate protection to prevent moisture damage, which would likely result in book loss if restocked.

To preserve donated materials and prevent avoidable waste, I made the decision not to distribute books into these structures and instead temporarily cleared and closed them. I have since begun advocating for the replacement of these boxes with properly constructed, registered Little Free Libraries that meet durability standards for outdoor use.

This experience reinforced the importance of installation quality, stewardship structure, and alignment with the Little Free Library network to ensure sustainable book access in public spaces.

Today I got to do one of my favorite things — wander the neighborhood with a basket of books and quietly seed little pockets of imagination. I stocked 3 Little Free Libraries with a total of 20 books, making sure there was a mix of genres, voices, and stories for whoever might need a spark.

Every time I do this, I’m reminded that even the smallest acts of care can ripple. You never know who will pick up that book on the exact day they needed to feel less alone, more inspired, or simply seen. That’s the kind of impact that makes me proud to be part of this movement.