Little free libraries now open in Kimball, Banner counties

Little free libraries are popping up all over the country, and the panhandle is no different.

Jan Sears approached both the Kimball City Council and the Kimball County Commissioners seeking support in erecting one in the community.

Since that time, at least two new little free libraries have been added in the Panhandle, including one in Banner County and one at Oliver Reservoir. The libraries allow anyone who sees them to take a book or leave one for others.

Laura Whelchel, owner of Laura Lee's Double L Country Store, at the old Hilltop Cafe in Banner County, used a metal cupboard from the 1950s to withstand the ever changing Nebraska weather for her little free library.

"I saw the idea online and thought that it was really neat," Whelchel said. "I thought Hilltop would be a great location for those traveling and Banner County residents."

Though her store is not open yet, Whelchel invites anyone to drop a book off and pick one up.

"Its a fun little thing, books get changed out as new ones arrive," she said. "I'm a steward of the library, it is my responsibility to keep it organized."

Jamie Carpenter, owner of The Sisters Grimm bookstore in Bushnell, also had a hand in building a little free library.

After she read of the idea in a library newsletter, Carpenter mentioned it to her mother, who thought that the perfect place for a little free library would be Oliver Reservoir. This would allow people would have a stash of books to read while relaxing at the lake.

Carpenter said her brother-in-law, Juan Rocha, built the little free library to look similar to her iconic barn turned bookstore.

"The red and white design really stands out against the greens and blues of the lake and is a cheerful addition to the campground entrance," Carpenter said.

"We try to check on it once a week or so to make sure it's stocked," she added. "The last few times we've been out there, it looked like other people had contributed books as well as taking some, so there's been a good turnover. We are glad people are embracing the idea."

Though Carpenter chose not to register her library, Whelchel's little free library is registered with the official Little Free Library organization and can be found on the online map at http://www.littlefreelibrary.org.

"We didn't want the extra expense, and we figured that the location is easy enough for people to spot who might be interested in using it," Carpenter explained.