Search This Blog

Saturday, April 18, 2015

The Danger of Little Free Libraries

You may remember my infatuation with the library in the home of some old friends.



I've posted on both of my blogs about Teresa and Ricky's library and wonderful old home.   They are both talented, creative people, active in artistic and civic organizations.  

In recent months, they have had the most unusual and ridiculous problems with the Metropolitan Planning Commission in Shreveport.

Ricky built a Little Free Library, and the fun began when the MPC sent a notification telling the Edgertons to close the LFL down as it was a commercial venture.  (The notification contained two misspelled words...) 

The MPC looked pretty foolish when the Facebook posts went viral and newspapers and television (local and national) picked up the story.  For a while it seemed the problem was resolved, and then it would get silly all over again.  Now one more problem has arisen; it would be funny if it weren't so petty and nonsensical.

You can read more about it on Teresa's blog.

Just one example of the amazing coverage this event has received:
Louisiana City Government Squashed Renegade Free Book Exchange  (article in The Washington Post)


10 comments:

  1. Thanks so much, Jenny, for your support. I just read a note a child wrote in the notebook in our LFL, which we placed there for comments. "My little sister just loved the book, I LOVE YOU, STINKY FACE. She sat down in front of your house and read it all." Patty had sent this wonderful picture book (along with some other books that were snatched up immediately) to us for the LFL.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. :) So how can anyone have a problem that produces responses like that! Patty should have plenty of books to recommend. She was probably the favorite teacher of anyone she ever taught.

      Delete
  2. Thanks for the update. I can't believe this is still an issue. What a waste of city time and money this whole thing is. I'm off to read the latest on Teresa's blog now...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Went over to Teresa's blog, and left the following comment...
    --------------------------------------------

    Came over from "Jenclair's" blog.

    G-O-V-E-R-N-M-E-N-T!!! With too much time on its hands, and no helpful ideas, in its head. And no will, to address the real and significant city challenges. Bahhh-humbug...

    Fight on!!!!!!!!! In your own gentle way, of course. ,-)))))))))))))

    Tessa

    ReplyDelete
  4. You make me laugh! Bah-humbug, indeed!

    ReplyDelete
  5. It's incredible how many governments in so many places are making a big deal out of LFLs. I hope the five-foot setback doesn't cause your friends any further trouble!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Some areas accept them without problems; others go to an extreme. It is a shame that serious problems are ignored and a LFL becomes the focus.

      Delete
  6. Oh heavens. Really?! I hope Teresa's LFL will be grandfathered in. Doesn't the government have actual problems to deal with instead of trying to trample on ideas and projects that contribute to a better society?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The effort to do something and of benefit to the community has turned into a weird situation, but Ricky and Teresa have a lot of support.

      Delete