Little library’s preliminary plans approved

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

BAINBRIDGE -- A new library program is beginning to take shape in one northern Putnam community.

At a regular public meeting Monday in Bainbridge, which had been postponed from Wednesday, Sept. 14, councilmen approved a proposal presented by Morton native Wendy Pearl to begin setting up a town-wide library program titled Little Library.

“In 2007 I started the Everlasting Foundation ... to promote programs within families in the North Putnam (Schools) area,” Pearl said as she first explained how the concept for the library formed. “You might already be familiar with our Two Fish food pantry -- that’s our biggest thing that we’ve started, we also helped start the camp that they do out at Heritage Lake every summer -- but the newest thing I’m trying to get involved in now is trying to start a library program throughout Bainbridge.

“Basically, the purpose is to promote literacy and reading by having book exchanges set up throughout the town,” Pearl continued. “It would eliminate having to use a building; it would eliminate having (the need of) someone to staff that building at a cost; and basically provide access to books.”

Through the use of decorated and customized drop boxes, these book exchanges are hoped to dot the town and will make up the “library” without having a literal building to house the books.

Though Board President Jerry Lents was not present, councilmen Joel Thompson and Scott Curran approved the plan after some discussion.

“Though I haven’t looked at it greatly, I see no problems with going ahead and doing it,” Thompson said after Pearl’s initial presentation. “There may be some stuff that has to be worked out but otherwise I think it’s a great idea.”

Some issues that face the program involve the locations of the drop boxes. While the council has already approved locations which belong to the town -- the basketball courts and ball diamonds, for example -- other locations and their owners will have to be consulted before the placement of a drop box.

Some locations that are eyed for participation are the post office, the North Putnam Schools administration office, neighborhood corners, Dollar General and the Dariette.

“The locations should have a lot of foot traffic should be highly visible to anyone, inside or outside,” Peal said. “It’s based on the concept of Little Free Library.”

For more information about Little Free Library, visit littlefreelibrary.org.

According to a packet Pearl handed out to members of the board Monday, “anyone may contribute or take book.”

“If you take a book, or two, from a (drop box),” the packet reads. “you do not need to return that exact book. However, in order to keep the Little Library full of good choices for the whole neighborhood, the next time you swing by ... bring a few books to share.”

The Little Library will run according to an honor system, through which “everyone contributes” to ensure quality books are readily available.

More information and updates on the Little Library are expected to come at the town’s October regular public meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m.

In other business:

• Halloween and Trick-or-Treat hours for Bainbridge were discussed and approved. Times for children and their families to go trick-or-treating will be on Halloween Day, Monday, Oct. 31 from 6-9 p.m.

Residents are encouraged to have ample amounts of candy available as the town has added an extra hour to the plans.

• A Bainbridge Improvement Society (BIS) update was given: The recent car show, hosted Sept. 10-11, brought in a total of $445.75 through two days of shows and “car swaps.” A $150 50-50 drawing was also awarded, only to be given back to BIS by winner Sherry Bentley.

The availability of spaces for the upcoming Covered Bridge Festival in Bainbridge was discussed. Though several vendors have already signed up, there are still many spaces available both inside and outside the Bainbridge Community Center.

• A Utility Board report was given. Due to recent rain and drainage, a stormwater utility was expressed to be of the utmost importance as anywhere from 57,000 to 140,000 gallons of rainwater are received throughout the year.

Separately, a GPS tracking device was approved by the Park Board for the Utility Board to be used in times of emergency.

• Town Marshal Rodney Fenwick gave his monthly report, stating that he and his officers have been busy of late with a total of 49 incident dispatches.

Separately, the air conditioning unit in Fenwick’s cruiser was recently repaired.

• Ordinance 2016-5 was approved upon second reading Monday. This involves an amendment to the Fair Housing ordinance that had already been passed.

• Ordinance 2016-7, which pertains to the addition of appropriations (allocation of funds), was approved.

• Resolution 2016-6, which concerns compliance with IMPA (Indiana Municipal Power Agency), was also approved.

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