Little library at the end of Summer Street

Posted on by Letters
Turner Klapheke and the Little Library on Summer Street

We’ve built and installed a free little library at the end of Summer Street, off Lakeshore Drive, in Asheville.

Our 9-year-old son, Turner, was disappointed to find so few books on his reading level at other free little libraries [“Asheville’s Little Free Libraries Make a Big Impact,” Aug. 6, Xpress] in Asheville. He felt that free libraries should not be the domain of adult literature, but instead these little gems should help entice young people to “discover new lands and ideas through reading.”

He says, “Literature is a healthy part of life, like playing outside. Books help us grow, and we can learn so many more things.” In a time where the banned books list keeps growing and censorship of marginalized experiences becomes more mainstream, I couldn’t agree with my son more.

Turner designed his own book box with two doors. The top one opens up to adult books (we currently have some Willa Cather, Jane Hamilton, Bret Lott, John Grisham and John A. Keel to offer). The bottom door opens to children’s books (we have the “Wings of Fire” and “Percy Jackson” books, graphic novels and humor books). After drawing out his plans with exact measurements, Turner’s papa was able to make the sketches a reality.

Take a book, leave a book or just take a book and enjoy!

Andy Klapheke and Amanda Wray,
(parents of Turner Klapheke)
Asheville

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One thought on “Little library at the end of Summer Street”

  1. Jordan Foltz

    Awesome!! Thank you all so much for taking direct action for your community and streets! Hopefully projects such as this will continue to grow in Asheville, helping to recreate our public spaces and make them engaging, expressive, and alive!!

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