littlelibraryOn saturday evening I went with a couple of friends out to dinner in Easton, and happened to discover a “Little Free Library” on the walk there.  The “library” was essentially a red wooden box with a glass window perched up on a wooden pole, reminding me of a friendly, oversized birdhouse. When I came closer and realized what it was, I was pleasantly surprised.

I was not quite expecting this innocent book exchange, to be honest, because I have the impression that Easton isn’t the greatest area. My friends were similarly intrigued and a little surprised.  One of the first things my friends said in reaction to the library was, “How do they make sure no one steals them?”  It seemed like none of us could quite grasp the idea that the box operated under the assumption that people would be kind and responsible by returning all books borrowed. It was hard for us to imagine that no one would exploit the little free library.

I realize criminals’ top priority is certainly not stealing books, but this still alerted me to the unfortunately pessimistic way in which we tend to view the world. Maybe it is realistic, maybe it’s cautionary, in any case, we are well aware that there are a lot of bad people out in the world, to state it frankly.

While the little free library brought me to this somewhat disconcerting conclusion, I could not help but feel glad that the library existed in the first place.  And it appeared that people actually used it! Yes there might be people who end up taking advantage of the library, but most will not and ultimately, it will help bring joy to some Eastonians.