Nikole Babb
nbabb@cherryroad.com
The El Dorado Rotary Club spent Saturday morning in the chilly winds installing a free library and picking up trash alongside the north fence and under the bridge on N Main St near Dillons.
The trash pick-up was a routine group effort by the El Dorado Rotarians. The club installed the fence about a year ago with the intent of the fence catching the trash that blows around into the wooded area and creek. While the fence does a good job at catching the trash, the club spends time picking up the trash and have noticed other El Doradans picking it up as well. The community effort they’ve noticed is heartwarming and shows that the residents love their home and want to keep it clean too.
The fence cost about $4,000 to install and was sponsored by the El Dorado Rotary Club, the District Rotary office, Dillons and Sutherlands. The funds were split among the entities while Sutherlands offered a discount on the materials purchased.
The nine Rotarians that worked on the service project picked up about 91 gallons worth of trash. All the while some were cleaning up the trash, some were pouring concrete and installing a post for the Little Free Library.
The Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization based out of Saint Paul, Minnesota. Their focus is to expand book access worldwide. Through different programs, Little Free Library provides a space for books to be accessed at no cost to under served communities. Organizations can also purchase their already-built or built-your-own Little Free Libraries to install in their own towns to support the cause.
The El Dorado Rotary Club received the Little Free Library through the District Rotary office. The library cost the local club nothing – just time and effort to install it. The library cost the district about $300.
The Little Free Library is a take one and leave one system. If you’d like to take a book, it’s free to take. It’s encouraged to leave a book for the next person if you can – but not required. Once you’re done with the book, feel free to bring it back and pass on the story to the next reader! This leaves the books accessible to all who may want or need one while promoting literacy and community throughout El Dorado. The Little Free Library is always open 24/7 for anyone passing by longing for a good read.
