The world at your fingertips

For some children, summer vacation is a welcome break from the scholastic grind of math, social studies and the dreaded necessity of reading. But although others may take a break from some of the core subjects, for them reading is never a chore.

Children and adults who love to read will take any and every opportunity to pick up a book. For some, it’s the only opportunity they may have to open their world to dream, explore and be captivated by seemingly impossible and unlikely adventures.

From “Huckleberry Finn” to “Harry Potter,” books shape our literary history and our fantasy worlds. They have the capability of taking us on the best mental vacation money can buy, without actually spending much at all — especially if they are free.

In 2009, Todd Bol of Hudson, Wisconsin, started something called the “Little Free Library.”

On its website, littlefreelibrary.org, Bol explains that he built a model of a one-room schoolhouse as a tribute to his mother who was a teacher and loved to read, and filled it with books. He put it on a post in his front yard. His neighbors loved it, and he built several more. His motto was “Take a book, leave a book.”

By 2010, these “Little Free Libraries” were popping up all over Wisconsin, thanks to the enthusiasm of stewards who saw the need and importance of keeping their communities passionate about the written word.

Cristi Marchetti of Lehighton, a high school English teacher, has become one of these stewards.

Last summer, thanks to the encouragement of a librarian friend at the Cleveland Public Library, she decided to create her own community reading project by joining the Little Free Library family.

“I believe books create a community and a community of readers have more to discuss,” Marchetti said.

“I have seen so much success with this project. When new kids move into the area and see the sign, they get intrigued and excited. Just a few weeks ago there was a new family riding their bikes, saw the sign and went home to get some of their books to leave. They rode away with new books to explore.”

Marchetti said some readers take it a step further.

“There are times when someone reads a book and brings it back with a note for the next reader. What they liked about it, why they chose it, and sometimes, who they are and where they live. It is a special way for neighbors to meet each other and have a commonality where maybe there wasn’t one before,” she said. “Books that end up in the Little Free Library are books that readers want other readers to read.”

The Little Free Libraries now total 40,000 worldwide. The website shows a map with each library’s location.

The mission statement is clear: “To promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges worldwide and to build a sense of community as we share skills, creativity and wisdom across generations.”

Marchetti and her daughter Vivian are doing just that, building the community in the Mahoning Valley, one free book at a time.

The closest Little Free Library to hers is in Bangor.

“If you are in the mood to read, you should be able to read, and if you are looking for something different, in all kinds of genres, then maybe it’s here,” Marchetti said.

“Babies, kids, teens, young adults and grown-up books have all passed through.

“It’s pretty special,” said Marchetti, “that something so simple can bring people together in a small community, some who have lived here for years without ever knowing people three houses down from them, can come together over a wooden box filled with books.”

Adventures are often found on the road during a summer vacation, but they can also be found on the pages of a good book.

Whether it is a children’s book or an exciting work of fiction for teens or adults, books can take us on adventures found only through pen and paper.

And sometimes, if we’re lucky, they can be found for free at a Little Free Library, just around the corner.

#7272 Cristi Marchetti’s front porch Little Free Library

#7297 Cristi’s daughter, Vivian Marchetti reading one of the latest books that were dropped off to share

#7276 A local feline looking for a copy of “If You Give A Cat A Cupcake”

#7284 Vivian and her friend Ella looking to choose a new book

#7291 Vivian and her friend Ella hanging out by the chalkboard sign with their new books

#7304 Vivian and Ella get comfortable with their new books