Dedham's Little Free Libraries Get Another Big Boost

DEDHAM, MA - Thanks to a recent grant from the Dedham Savings Community Foundation, even more of Dedham’s Little Free Libraries will soon be getting a much-needed refresh of painting and upgraded hardware. Installed across Dedham by the Dedham Library Innovation Team (DLIT) over the past decade, the twelve, individually-decorated mini lending libraries were built by Dedham High School students and painted by both DHS students and community artists.

Dedham Savings Community Foundation is a privately funded foundation created by Dedham Savings in 2000 to provide financial support to charitable organizations that serve disadvantaged populations within the Bank’s community reinvestment area. These communities include Dedham, Needham, Norwood, Sharon, South Boston, Walpole, and Westwood and contiguous areas. Typical requests are received from schools, libraries, family service organizations and non-profit organizations. The $2500 grant to the Dedham Library Innovation Team will cover costs of artist stipends, library hardware, paint and materials for at least another three little libraries.

DLIT’s founder Paul Reynolds notes, “We really appreciate Dedham Savings Community Foundation’s support of literacy and creativity in Dedham. Their support is making a tangible difference all across town with this Little Free Libraries Restoration Project.”

Looking like large, decorated mailboxes with hinged doors, residents are encouraged to "give a book or take a book" from these little libraries. The first little library, painted to look like a schoolhouse, was installed at the former Dedham Town Hall in 2013, and recently relocated to the new Town Hall location at 450 Washington Street. The unique artwork on each little library has served as a vibrant public art project, representing a broad range of Dedham's history and arts - including Dedham Pottery and the Norfolk Tavern. Patrons are very proud of the little libraries in their neighborhoods, which have added to the artistic and literary vibrancy of the town.

Long-time DLIT volunteer Chris Ryan, who is working with Reynolds to oversee the renovation project shares, “We’re now on our way to restoring these well-loved, but weather-beaten libraries, but upgrading all twelve little libraries over the next couple of years will require some serious fundraising.” Thanks to Dedham Savings Community Foundation, as well as an initial grant from Dedham Cultural Council earlier this year, the restoration effort is off to a strong start. Ongoing fundraising will also help defray ongoing, annual maintenance to better protect the little libraries from the elements.

Dedham residents are also rallying around the renovation efforts, especially where the little libraries require structural repairs. Joan and Dan Connors are rebuilding the little library sited in the Manor neighborhood, which was originally painted by the late Cindy Mootz. Kristen and Edward Elizabeth are doing the makeover of the little library on Rustcraft Road at Dedham Corporate/Route 128 train station, which was originally designed by artist/educator Clarissa Robyn.

To touch up and repaint the libraries DLIT turned to artist/muralist Sal D'Antona who is serving as creative director/lead painter for the Dedham Little Free Library Restoration Project. Sal will be collaborating with each library’s original artist if possible, or working in the artist's original style. After D’Antona has finished painting each library, they will get painted with a high-quality poly-coating, and outfitted with brand-new, high-strength and corrosion-resistant marine brass hardware to better withstand New England’s often harsh weather conditions. The first library undergoing Sal’s artistic touch up will be the little library located at Memorial Field, which was originally designed by Lisa Houck.

D’Antona graduated from Dedham High School In 1991, attended the Art Institute of Boston, and studied animation in Los Angeles. Local civic neighborhood group Oakdale Square Alliance tapped D’Antona for his artistic talents to paint the large wall mural on the 7-11 convenience store in Oakdale Square. His other artistic projects include painting the Bengal Bunny, one of the 5-foot giant bunnies that were part of the Dedham Public Art Project, and painting the Dedham Community Theatre’s exterior murals.

DLIT's Dedham Little Free Library Project is an officially chartered member of the national Little Free Libraries initiative, which numbers over 100,000 little libraries in 108 countries. The libraries serve all ages from children to seniors. Use of the libraries is free - and books are all donated by the community. The mission of the Little Free Library movement is to:

· Promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges worldwide.
· Foster a sense of community and connection as we share skills, creativity and wisdom across generations.

For general information about the Dedham Little Free Library Project, the public is invited to join the group’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/dedhamlittlefreelibrary. Additional information about the Dedham Library Innovation Team is available on its website: www.DLITdedham.com. Those interested in providing financial support for the Little Free Libraries Restoration Project, can contact dlit.team@gmail.com or send a check to DLIT, 163 Munroe Street, Dedham, MA. 02026. Donations can also be made via the DLIT Paypal account: https://tinyurl.com/supportDLIT. DLIT, Inc. is a 501 c3 non-profit organization. EIN# 45-1585594.

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A list of DLIT's Little Free Libraries that were installed around Dedham since 2013 include:

• Town Hall: “Little Red Schoolhouse” built and painted by DHS students.
• Dedham Square Keystone Lot – “Head In The Clouds, Feet In The Trees” painted by Marietta Apollonio.
• Endicott MBTA Commuter Rail Station – “Poppies” painted by Susan Hoy.
• Memorial Field on Eastern Avenue, “Pattern Recognition” painted by Lisa Houck.
• Oakdale Square, Church of the Good Shepherd – “Stars & Stripes” painted by Luke Barry.
• Legacy Place, “Our Little Library” painted by Peter H. Reynolds.
• DHA Housing Complex, High Street/O'Brien Way, "A,B,Cs of Literacy" painted by DHS '16 Leah Badessa, Hannah Romanish, and Rachel Strykowski.
• DHA Housing Complex, Parker Staples Road, "Dedham's Norfolk Tavern" painted by DHS Class '16 Leah Badessa, Hannah Romanish, and Rachel Strykowski.
• Dedham Corporate MBTA Station: "Celebrating Dedham Pottery" painted by Clarissa Robyn.
• Terri's Market - Dedham Manor: "Under the Stars" painted by Cindy Mootz.
• East Dedham Triangle Park (Colburn Street): "Victorian Roses" painted by Sarah Edson.