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Hooked on Books
When I was a child, while other kids salivated over the thought of a shiny new bicycle or the supple leather of a catcher’s mitt, I dreamt of books. Ink-filled pages were my drug of choice and libraries my cathedrals. Nothing, it seemed, could pry my nose out of a good book.
After enduring an academic year like no other, I fear that thoughts of books now bring something else to mind for today’s children — COVID-19. The shadow of the pandemic is likely to linger for quite some time, particularly over our schools. Coupled with the extended closure of local museums, zoos, and summer enrichment programs, educational opportunities for children have significantly winnowed during this past year. But despite these challenges, Merrimack Valley is ripe with other possibilities, including one hiding in plain sight.
During a recent late-night walk, I discovered a miniature library box in the middle of my suburban neighborhood. Emblazoned with the motto “Building Community, Sparking Creativity, Inspiring Readers,” the box was part of the Little Free Library initiative (LittleFreeLibrary.org), an exchange program that allows readers to share books at no cost. Curiosity peaked, I opened the tiny glass door and began to sift through the collection. That was all it took. I was hooked.
The next day I set out to locate every LFL in my adopted hometown of Andover. I was pleased to…