By Mary Alice Murphy
Santa Clara Little Free Library dedication 101316
Santa Clara Little Free Library dedication 101316
First book borrower right before the dedication is Avery Castro, 5, of Santa Clara (Photo Courtesy of Andrea Jaquez).
Santa Clara Little Free Library dedication 101316
Judy Alfred and Neta Pope, two of those who joined to create the Little Free Library in Santa Clara (Photo Courtesy of ErnestO Stolpe).
Santa Clara Little Free Library dedication 101316
The Book Bee painted on the side (Photo Courtesy of ErnestO Stolpe).
Santa Clara Little Free Library dedication 101316
Maria Elena Sanchez talks about the process they went through to Santa Clara Clerk Sheila Hudman, Mayor Richard Bauch, as Neta Pope listens (Courtesy of ErnestO Stople).
Santa Clara Little Free Library dedication 101316
One side of the box of books (Photo by Mary Alice Murphy).
Santa Clara Little Free Library dedication 101316
The front of the box (Photo by Mary Alice Murphy).
Santa Clara Little Free Library dedication 101316
One side of the box
Santa Clara Little Free Library dedication 101316
And the last side of the book box (Photo by Mary Alice Murphy).
Santa Clara Little Free Library dedication 101316
Steven Maynes smiles about his choice of book (Photo by Mary Alice Murphy).
Santa Clara Little Free Library dedication 101316
Mayor Bauch picks out a book, too. (Photo by Mary Alice Murphy).
Santa Clara Little Free Library dedication 101316
Neta Pope helps a group of triplets get the door open. (Photo by Mary Alice Murphy)
Santa Clara Little Free Library dedication 101316
An enthusiastic group of 5-year-old triplets, Delenn, Ulysses, and Lyta Dominguez choose their books (Photo Courtesy of ErnestO Stolpe).
Santa Clara Little Free Library dedication 101316
The triplets' mother helps them decide which book to take home (Photo Courtesy of ErnestO Stolpe).
The Historical Committee of the Village of Santa Clara celebrated the installation of its first Little Free Library on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016.
Although a full size library/museum building is on the wish list, according to Mayor Richard Bauch, the five Little Free Library boxes planned for the village will partly fill the gap until a full-sized one becomes a reality.
The mayor selected the children's book, "The Blue Truck," from the LFL, while he emphasized the importance of families reading together for the future of Santa Clara.
The first library is located outside City Hall carrying the slogan, "Take a Book, Return the Book." The Santa Clara LFL is one of 40,000 LFLs worldwide.
Bauch emphasized: "Reading is the best skill we can have. If we don't know how to do something, we can read to learn how to do it."
One of the instigators of the Little Free Libraries is Neta Pope, who said a woman started the movement in Wisconsin. "Santa Clara is progressive, and Judy (Alfred, a retired librarian) sent me some information, so we decided to get one started."
Daniel Romano built the first one. Joe Parra, owner of Kountry Kitchen, saw it and asked if he could build four more. Two of the artists who decorated it are from Silver City and Ester Hinojosa, a resident, wanted to paint a side. "She also brought in a wonderful bunch of books that her children had outgrown," Pope said.
Bauch said the village would be happy to accept books and donations for books, which would be used in the five LFLs.
"We are looking into grants with the intent to have our own library," Bauch said. "This is a great idea. I thank all of the committee."
The four other Little Free Libraries will follow the first one in front of the Santa Clara Village Hall. Two will be placed at Central Elementary School, one at the Senior Center and one near the Splash Park.