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Stories From Main Street: Little Free Library Opens On Sloatsburg Lawn

SLOATSBURG, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - Not everyone is grabbing an e-book this summer. Some bibliophiles are opening their own little front lawn libraries, WCBS 880's Sean Adams reported.

WCBS 880's Sean Adams On The Story

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There's something in Margaret Gulick's yard in Sloatsburg. It's not a bird house. What is it?

"Oh, this is my little free library," she told Adams.

What is a Little Free Library?

"It's just kind of an exchange to, you know, put a book in, take a book out," she said.

A lot of love went into building this little home for about a couple dozen books.

There are shingles on the roof. There is a clear plastic door. It's painted. There are playful little gnomes. One is even reading a book.

Stories from Main Street
Stories from Main Street - Photo: Evan Bindelglass / WCBS 880

RELATED: More Stories From Main Street

So how did this all get started, the Little Free Library?

"It's a grassroots movement that started in Hudson, Wisconsin. A guy named Todd Bowl wanted to honor his mother who was a school teacher," Gulick told Adams.

There are now 1,800 of them worldwide with just a handful in New York.

But co-founder Rick Brooks said the movement is growing.

"The story just seems to keep growing and growing," he told Adams. "There are lots of things cooking in New York City, including in Brooklyn and some discussions about trying to see if little libraries might go on the High Line."

LINK: Little Free Library

It's simple.

Build a little shelter, and stock it with books.

Gulick's neighbor Catherine McKenna was patron number one.

"I love it. I took, actually, two books the first time. I took 'Three Cups of Tea' and 'Their Eyes Were Watching God," she told Adams. "It's a very small town idea. I think that Sloatsburg is a small village, and I think that it's just a neighborly thing."

EXTRA: WCBS 880's Beach Reads

And there truly is a little something for everyone.

Adams himself pointed out two books that caught his eye - "The Wit and Wisdom of Mark Twain" and Tim Russert's "Wisdom of our Fathers."

"So you're seeking wisdom?" asked Gulick.

"Always seeking wisdom," said Adams.

Gulick said she loves watching people come and go.

"It makes me happy, and I don't know why," she said. "I think one of the goals is to promote a sense of community."

Do you think something like this would work in your town? Also, do you have any recommendations for a summer reading list? Share your comments below.

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