Thanks to the Marseilles Boy Scout Troop 799, Knudson Park has a Little Free Library. Located on the park’s east side across from the newly built Gift Garden, the project was a community effort. But the project came from a Boy Scout event in Ottawa a few weeks ago.
The idea started on the weekend of Sept. 22-23 when over 500 Boy Scout Troops camped and prepared for an adventurous weekend along the Ottawa, Illinois, riverfront to celebrate native son W. D. Boyce, a founder of the Boy Scouts of America, marking the W. D. Boyce Council’s 50-year history in central Illinois.
“During that weekend, more than 20 Little Libraries were built by several troops,” Marseilles Scout Master Katie Scheib said. “The libraries were built on-site at the (Ottawa Post 33) American Legion.”
At the end of the weekend, the libraries were sent home with the various troops who built them. When Troop 799 brought their library home, Katie’s husband, City Commissioner Mike Scheib asked Marseilles residents Krysta and Nick Kelly to help install it. Nick bought the post and installed it, and Joseph Nasca primed and sealed it.
“It’s free books for the community to share,” Krysta said.
Troop 799 has worked on a lot of community projects and has plans for more.
“We have two Little Libraries, and we’re hoping to install the second one in Serena,” Katie said. “Another project we’re discussing is a pagoda for Pet Project in Marseilles.”
Katie has 13 Boy Scouts in her troop, ranging in age from 13 to 17. They attend Serena, Ottawa, and Leland High Schools.
“Our Troop enjoyed working on the Little Libraries,” Scheib added. “Now we’re hoping the community will enjoy it too.”
A Little Free Library is a “take a book, share a book” free book exchange. Usually, the library is a small wooden box that can hold books. More than 150,000 registered Little Free Library book-sharing boxes in 120 countries worldwide.