Appleton Farms Home to First Grade's 'Little Free Library'

Historic Appleton Farms in Ipswich is home to the first of four Little Free Libraries designed and built in the Innovation Lab by Shore first graders.

At a low-key event on the evening of June 7, students, teachers, and parent volunteers gathered near Appleton's popular farmstand to help install the brightly-painted creation, which was sturdily constructed according to one of the first-graders' collaborative house designs and protected by an authentic cedar-shingled roof.

Help with securing the support post and performing other heavy lifting came from Innovation Lab manager Cam McNall as well as Bill Whiting, a longtime Appleton volunteer and a past Shore parent and the spouse of Shore's legendary retired CFO Bobbi Whiting. McNall and assistant Emily Salfity provided construction assistance throughout the months-long design-build process, helped with tools, and saw to many of the more demanding stages required for the four Little Free Libraries' completion, such as roofing and waterproofing.

First grade teacher and Lower School Humanities Co-Chair Mary Kinahan explained the origin of this lengthy and ambitious endeavor. "As part of our major unit 'How Stories Communicate Ideas in Many Ways,' students were inspired to share the many stories that they were reading and writing, and several imagined creating a structure that could hold their work. I and several other faculty members had looked into the Little Free Library project as part of our curriculum research, and when we showed the children images of a few of the more than 50,000 Little Free Libraries located in 70 countries around the world, they were entranced."

First graders worked in four small groups to do everything from researching existing libraries, designing, and calculating measurements to building, painting, and adding finishing touches to the libraries. Throughout the process, Cam McNall and Emily Salfity worked hard to ensure that the libraries would not only be what the kids envisioned, but would also be long-lasting and completely weatherproof. "As our Little Free Libraries open to the public," Kinahan said, "we'll have Shore families adopt them a month at a time to ensure they're well maintained and fully stocked with books."

A Shore parent initially suggested Appleton as the site for one of the Little Free Libraries, and according to Beth Zschau, Engagement Manager with The Trustees of Reservations—which manages the farm—"We were surprised and grateful when Shore contacted us about locating one of the libraries here. Appleton is a great spot for a Little Free Library, and we love the idea that kids were and will continue to be involved with the project."

Two of the remaining Little Free Libraries will be installed at Crane Beach and on Shore's campus; one was auctioned as part of the school's spring fundraiser and will be located at the home of a Shore family.