In 2016, the BLTA Board of Trustees, under the leadership of John Tennyson, was looking for ways for the Taxpayers’ Association to enrich life in Barnegat Light. The idea of donating a Little Free Library box to the town was discussed and, after approval by the Borough Council, a box was ordered. The box support was constructed by BLTA trustees Alan Thomas and Bruce Allen (pictured along with MaryAnn Crutchlow), and the box was installed in front of the post office in July of 2016. The Sandpaper (reporter, Maria Scandale) covered the installation in their weekly publication.
By 2017 it became clear that the box had become so popular that there was need for a larger box. After approval by the Borough Council, Larry Walsh, of Barnegat Light, was hired to design and build a larger box, durable and weatherproof. This second, fiberglass, box was built and installed in 2017. Today, the original box is designated for children’s and young adult books. The newer, larger box holds our adult book collection.
FYI: The first Little Free Library was created in 2009 by Todd Boll in Hudson, WI. He created it in honor of his mother. Today there are Little Free Library boxes in 108 countries.
