Little Free Library coming to Francis Lewis Park
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
In early April, Whitestone
residents will be able to sit and
enjoy reading a book of their
choosing from the Little Free
Library at Francis Lewis Park.
Wanting to make an impact
in the community that’s cost
effective and beneficial to
everyone, Whitestone resident
Jonathan Salazar came up with
the idea to install a Little Free
Library at the park.
Little Free Library is a
nonprofit organization that
inspires a love of reading, builds
community and sparks creativity
by fostering neighborhood book
exchanges around the world,
according to its website. It is a
“take a book, return a book” free
book exchange.
Anyone can start their little
library by identifying a location
and caretaker, deciding where
to legally and safely install their
library, registering their library
building community support,
and lastly, adding their library
to the world map.
After meeting with members
in the community, the We Love
Whitestone Civic Association
and the city Parks Department,
Salazar’s project was approved
and he received $1,000 in
donated funds to bring his idea
to fruition.
“We are very excited about
the little library project,” said
Alfredo Centola, president of We
Love Whitestone. “Mr. Salazar
approached us about it and we
immediately reached out to our
membership for funding. Within
days, the project was fully
funded by generous donations
from our members. Mr. Salazar
is on to a great start and I thank
him for his commitment and
community involvement.”
Salazar created a mockup
of what the library would
like at the park itself, he said.
Having a bit of graphic design
experience, he designed a
library and kids reading on a
photo he took of the park.
He is looking forward to
having a small ceremony at the
park when the weather becomes
warmer, he said.
“The Little Free Library
will be stocked with about 50
or 60 books ranging from all
different ages, inspiring the
love of reading and being able
Salazar’s graphic design image of the Little Free Library coming
soon at Francis Lewis Park. Courtesy of Jonathan Salazar
to share an experience of sitting
in the park enjoying a book,”
said Salazar. “You’re free to take
them home and read them, and
bring it back when you’re done.”
Following Salazar’s request
for a little library at Francis
Lewis Park, Paul DiDio — the
principal at PS 159 in Bayside
— contacted Salazar to help him
work on opening up a library at
the school.
The duo created a GoFundMe
page and quickly received funds
donated from family members
and parents in the Bayside
community to help build
the library.
“As our community
continues to grow and change
we are always looking for new
ways to build partnerships,” said
DiDio on the GoFundMe page.
“In 1995 Councilman Michael
Abel awarded a grant of $45,000
to build a reading garden in the
school yard. The garden is a 60-
by-40 plot, which is fenced in,
features benches, picnic-style
tables, game tables and a stage. “
DiDio said it would be a
place for students, parents and
community members to share
books with one another.
“We are trying to bring new
life into an area of the yard that
is often overlooked,” DiDio said.
For Salazar, the idea of a
little library at Whitestone and
building another in Bayside is a
wonderful feeling, he said.
“It’s a wonderful feeling
knowing the community
believes in an idea that a
community member had,” said
Salazar. “They listened to my
idea, the concept, they didn’t
discourage me. The whole
community was involved and
it just makes me feel that the
smallest little impact can really
make a difference.”
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