'The Little Library' is free to all

ROSEDALE, Ind. (WTHI) - Promoting literacy and the love of reading in future generations is difficult with technology literally surrounding us.

But one area couple is doing the best they can to combat that.  

A small wooden birdpost marks the spot.   

Founders Mike and Joan Lunsford smile whenever a child pulls a book from "The Little Library".

“It just makes me very happy and excited that they are excited about reading,” said Joan.    

Both Mike and Joan are teachers.   

He works at Riverton Park High School, while she works at Rosedale Elementary. Joan is also the elementary librarian at Montezuma Elementary.   

But here's the problem.   

The nearest public library is 15 miles away from the small town of Rosedale.   

Mike said they got an idea when they heard about a special reading movement for small towns.

“We always thought it would be nice to have somewhere where the kids could get book,” said Mike.    

With the help of a carpenter friend, Joan and Mike set up a small wooden-encased library.   

Children from the community can take a book from it without a fee or card. They then replace that book with another.   

That way, the children in Rosedale find new books to read every time they visit the library.

“We’ve had a lot of turnover. A lot of books come back. We’ve had a lot of different books end up in there. We’ve had a number of people who said, ‘I want to help you out and bring some books,” said Mike. 

Joan and Mike think holding an actual book in your hand is something that is never going out of style, no matter the kind of new technology that pops up.

“I think that reading is very important. And they really can’t learn about anything if they can’t read,” said Joan.  

“We’re readers. And we think it’s a really valuable thing that kids be reading,” said Mike.

So the Lunsfords can have a hand in keeping the future generations with a book in their grasp.

The Little Library is set up right next to Dollar General in Rosedale.