After Lois Hollingsworth’s husband died, her brother-in-law built her a Little Free Library. She wanted to feel more connected with her community, and filling the box with books for anyone who wanted them brought Hollingsworth happiness.

But on Friday morning, Hollingsworth’s Little Free Library — along with another on the same street — were discovered destroyed by fire.

Neighbors have been checking in with Hollingsworth since seeing the charred stump that remains of the wooden box.

“They just can’t believe it either,” she said.

Jeane Pearson — who went out in her pajamas and slippers to douse the flames on her Little Free Library about 5:15 a.m. Friday — and Hollingsworth both said they’re committed to putting out new boxes with free books.

The fire department is investigating what happened.

A SOURCE OF HAPPINESS

Pearson and Hollingsworth have lived near each other on Ivy Avenue, within view of Lake Phalen, for about 20 years. They said their Little Free Libraries are popular for neighbors and people walking around the lake. The idea of the libraries is that people can take any book and leave a book behind.

Hollingsworth’s carpenter brother-in-law made her Little Free Library after John Carlson, Hollingsworth’s husband, died at age 57 following a short illness. She put it out in the summer of 2013.

“I thought it was a way to come back to life after death and be part of the community, and have something positive in my life,” she said.

On Friday morning, a neighbor texted Hollingsworth to check if she was alright after seeing emergency vehicles. Hollingsworth was unaware of the fire, which apparently burned itself out.

READY TO SET UP A NEW LIBRARY

Pearson didn’t see anyone around when she looked out her window at 5 a.m. or when she saw the flames soon after.

And she has no idea why someone would set fire to the little libraries.

“I just think they felt powerful destroying something good,” Pearson said. “I feel sorry for them, but there’s going to be another Little Free Library again.”

Setting up the little library last July was a community effort, but that’s the kind of place their neighborhood is, Pearson said. Neighbors have organized an Easter egg hunt for kids for many years, for example.

There may have been 50 books in Pearson’s Little Free Library and they were all destroyed. But Pearson, who gets books from thrift stores, is already prepared to stock the next library she gets.

“I just want to promote the joy of reading,” she said.