Lakeville Scout Completes Little Free Library Project to Benefit Community

Lakeville teenager Logan Alger, a ninth grader, is working hard to become an Eagle Scout. For him, part of that process meant giving Lakeville two Little Free Libraries.

The director of Lakeville Area Community Education, Steve Porter, had heard about Little Free Libraries and thought that Lakeville would be a good fit for one.

Said Porter, "This is suppose to be a community benefit. Why not have it made by the community?"

He asked the Scouts if anyone would be interested in the project, and from there, he connected with Logan Alger.

“It’s a need,” said Logan when asked why he agreed to the project. “People need those books.”

After troop leadership approved the project, Logan moved forward, which included securing funding and volunteers. To pay for the materials to build the Little Free Libraries, as well as food and beverages for volunteers, Logan received funding from Lakeville’s Early Childhood and Family Council and the Lakeville Rotary Club. America’s Woodshop, where Logan purchased the materials, gave him a discount.

Some of the other materials that Logan had to buy for the project were paint, varnish, primer and tarps. He also had to go to America’s Woodshop to learn how to build the Little Free Libraries. As part of the requirements to become an Eagle Scout, Logan had to lead others in building the libraries; he could not do the actual building himself.

Volunteers from the troop, his family and friends signed up to build the libraries over Labor Day weekend.

To fill the Little Free Libraries, Logan organized a book drive, which garnered seven boxes and bags of books. He donated the books to Lakeville Community Education, which is now responsible for the libraries.

"The concept is get books into the hands of kids and this is a very simple, straightforward, free way... I can’t tell you how many times I’ve restocked," Porter said.

He related a story of having kids pick out books while he was in the midst of restocking the library. "It's a great community builder," said Porter.

Logan, who hopes to make Eagle Scout by the end of the year, is also satisfied with the results.

“I’m pretty happy with the overall outcome,” Logan said.

The Little Free Libraries are located at the Community Education Building (8755 Upper 208th Street) and the Crystal Lake Facility (16250 Ipava Avenue). 

Find more Little Free Libraries in Lakeville using the map at LittleFreeLibrary.org.

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