The Cochran Hockley Association of Retired Teachers (CHART) in partnership with Friends of the Hockley County Memorial Library officially opened and stocked the first Little Free Library in Ropesville at 10:30 am on Tuesday, October 7.
There were about sixty preschoolers, their teachers and aides and other Ropes ISD staff.
The Little Free Library (LFL) program is designed to take a book and return a book. It is a free book exchange. In 2023, there were 171,000 registered LFL book sharing boxes in all 50 states and 121 countries. There is a searchable map of many of the locations at https:// littlefreelibrary.org/map/.
The composite Ropes LFL was purchased from the Little Free Library nonprofit organization based in St. Paul, Minnesota. It is made with plastic lumber made out of recycled milk jugs, and will last for years with little to no maintenance required.
The concept of take a book, leave a book doesn’t always occur. Therefore, each library has a steward to make sure there is always an ample supply of books. Mary Drake will be the steward for the Ropes LFL.
There are plans for students to participate in designing artwork that will be applied to the library at a later date.
In May of 2018, CHART began promoting 1,000 BBK, a reading program offered by the Hockley County Memorial Library.
The idea is simple, by reading one book a day for three years or three books a day for one year to a child, birth to four, the child will be exposed to 1,000 books before they enter kindergarten. The goal is to provide a simple, innovative yet fun approach to establishing strong early literacy skills. In addition, the bond that develops between the reader and child may be even more important.
Each child at the ribbon cutting was given a book to take home. One book is nice, however to reach the goal of 1,000 books, caregivers need books to be available 24/7.
To meet this need, in 2019, CHART began installing Little Free Libraries in various locations throughout Cochran and Hockley counties. Some libraries have been built by individuals, some by school groups and others bought online.
As with all the CHART Little Free Libraries, the Little Free Library located on the Ropes ISD campus is in support of 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten. However, it will contain books for all ages.
In addition to Ropes ISD, Little Free Libraries placed by CHART with the support of various groups can currently be found in front of the City Hall in Morton and in Levelland at George C. Price Park, Bartlett Park and on the middle shelf of the Blessing Box at Second Baptist Church. CHART also has a library inside the Fostering Life Youth Ranch providing books for 2nd grade through high school.
CHART would like to invite individuals and groups from Cochran and Hockley County to participate in the placement of additional Little Free Libraries in a variety of ways.
If anyone is skilled in building and wants to help, CHART has two libraries in storage that are in need of repairs. Donations of new and gently used books for all age groups are always welcome. There is a bench near the main door of the building which formerly housed Cactus Elementary. Books in bags or boxes can be placed inside the seat.
There is always a need for stewards. CHART will train and provide books for an individual or group that would like to steward by being responsible for the ongoing care of a Little Free Library.
For more information or to volunteer, please call Debra Burnett at 894-8426 or Louise Pendleton at 894-6467. Cochran Hockley Association of Retired Teachers meets monthly, September - May on the first Tuesday of every month at Levelland Country Club at 11:30 am. All retired school personnel are welcome. For more information concerning CHART, please call Scott Rombokas at 806-777-9560. Information concerning Friends of the Library is available at Hockley County Memorial Library. Both Little Free Library and 1000 Books Before Kindergarten have wonderful resources available online. Monetary donations are always welcome.