Family surprises Sauk Rapids woman with tiny library

SAUK RAPIDS – Joyce Townsend grew up in the tiny town of Vermillion. There was no library, so going to the bookmobile was always one of her favorite activities.

And Townsend had been noticing the Little Free Libraries in the area; one is near Pleasantview Elementary School, only a few blocks from her house. Her family took note of Townsend’s interest in the libraries, and as a surprise gift for her July 25 birthday, built one in the Townsends’ yard.

The Little Free Libraries are basically outdoors book exchanges sprinkled around neighborhoods. Anyone can take a book on his or her honor, and the “librarian” and community members help keep the book supply robust.

Townsend’s family members all had a part in the creation of the library, from design to personal touches. Her daughter, Mindy Drinnin, spearheaded the idea; Townsend’s husband, Russ, built the library along with Mindy’s brother, Zak, using old barnwood. Everyone helped collect books.

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Zak’s fiancee, Felicia Burt, painted the words on the library. And there’s no doubt who the “librarian” is: “Grandma’s lil’ Library” is at the top.

Mindy’s son, Wyatt, 7, acts as quality control by monitoring the books. He also wrote a note reminding users to “Plese take 1 per persin.” Grandma’s favorite treats — individually wrapped Twizzlers — are inside the library, which includes a dictionary and Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.”

The family went to work on the library while Joyce Townsend was in Uganda on her third mission trip. The group she was with built a sidewalk.

Family members had her close her eyes when she returned home Aug. 6. “What did they do?” she said she thought. She wondered if she was going to be surprised with some new landscaping.

A little library “wasn’t on my radar,” she said.

How did Townsend react? “She was just really excited,” Zak Townsend said. “She kind of looked like she wanted to cry.”

The neighborhood response to the library has been great so far, the family members said. People have taken books or donated them.

“Dad was the most skeptical. Now he’s the most excited,” Mindy Drinnin said.

Indeed, Russ Townsend has plans for Grandma’s lil’ Library because he’s concerned about maintenance.

“I’m already thinking of upgrading it,” he said.

According to the Little Free Libraries website, the concept (in recent years, anyway) started in 2009 when Todd Bol of Hudson, Wisconsin, built one as a tribute to his mother, a former teacher. They have been popping up all over the area for years, and don’t show any signs of slowing down.

Abby Lyon worked with St. Joseph’s Parks and Recreation Department and community groups to place five little libraries in the area, including at Hollow and Klinefelter parks.

And leaders in Rice will consider next week whether to add one in town, a measure that is likely to pass, Mayor Dale Rogholt said. “It’s a good concept.”

The Townsend family is happy they helped bring that concept to another Sauk Rapids block. They’re fans of reading, from Joyce who loves her John Grisham books to young Wyatt who proudly proclaims, “I read chapter books.”

Follow Kate Kompas on Twitter @copygirlkate, or call her at 259-3620.

More information

Learn more about the Little Free Libraries program at www.littlefreelibrary.org, which includes a map of where to find them. (Note: The map features only Little Free Libraries that have been registered.)