Little Free Library boxes around Niwot

Niwot's community focus is one of the things that make it a unique and fun place to live. Events like Niwot's summer concert series, Rock & Rails, winter festivities such as Winterfest and Let's Wine About Winter, and its holiday markets and parades bind the community together.

Even the art around Niwot is special with tree carvings and left-hand chairs decorated to the theme of their surroundings.

One often overlooked feature also contributes to the quaint aesthetic of Niwot. Little boxes with books inside dot a stroll around town.

https://littlefreelibrary.org/" target="_blank">Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that was started in St. Paul, Minn., with the slogan "Take a book. Share a book." Its mission statement emphasizes the importance of community building and access to reading "through a global network of volunteer-led" individuals and book-exchange boxes. The organization even won a World Literacy Award in 2020 from the World Literacy Foundation, as well as many other awards and recognitions since its conception in 2009.

According to The Little Free Library website, https://littlefreelibrary.org/, more than 400 million books have been shared through their officially registered library boxes. They have several associated collaborators such as Disney, Foresters Financial, Goodreads, Good Morning America, Marvel, Sony, Amerigroup and Scotiabank.

The Little Free Libraries is a simple concept. Walk up to one, and take a book. Books can also be contributed by placing them in the boxes for others to enjoy. Locations are found on The Little Free Library website or the Little Free Library app. There are six official Little Free Libraries in Niwot and eight in Gunbarrel.

Niwot residents Laurie Kutz and her husband, Stuart, have one of the officially registered libraries in front of their home. "Growing up, libraries were one of my all-time favorite places," said Laurie. "It was a treat for my mom to drive all my siblings to get books." Kutz also developed her love of books through bookmobiles and working at the library at Purdue University, which helped her pay for college. Even traveling overseas, their family's action items include visiting libraries in all major cities.

"I remember when I first started noticing them (Little Libraries) pop up," Kutz continues, "I thought it was so great to see and I realized they could be registered for people to find and support reading. Neighbors and the community can feed [the libraries]." She also loves how many are around Niwot because "a great idea is worth repeating" and the diversity of art and community built around the libraries is, in her words, "really wonderful."

Niwot's Little Free Libraries are located in close proximity to 2nd Avenue at the Niwot Children's Park, at the Little Fire House Museum near the Left Hand Grange hall, and across the street from the Left Hand Animal Hospital. There are also two located alongside Monarch Road, and one near Sawtooth Lane on 83rd Street. Gunbarrel locations include Gunbarrel Green, Idylwild Trail, the Habitat Apartments and North Orchard Creek.

However, those are just some of the officially registered libraries. Do you know where some others might be located in or around Niwot? If so, let us know by emailing the location and a photo to [email protected] and go to the Little Free Library website to get it registered.