New little library tackles anti-racism

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New little library tackles anti-racism
Photo/Courtesy Sanam Zaer
Marshall and Miles Warren put books in the new little library.

By Laura Hayes, Contributing Writer

SHREWSBURY — On the front lawn of Debbie Linder’s yard is a little free library with a bright red door, holding books promoting diversity and tackling anti-racism. 

The Anti-Racism Free Little Library officially opened June 18 on Main Circle in Shrewsbury. 

“It’s a great way to show people in Shrewsbury who aren’t white that this is a welcoming place for them. There are people here who are really committed to making it as welcoming of a place as possible,” said resident and organizer Phil Blumberg.

The library was installed by members of a community group called “A Better Shrewsbury” after being inspired by a similar free library installed in Westborough.

“We said, ‘Wow, wouldn’t that be neat if we had one here too,’” Linder recalled.

A Better Shrewsbury is a community of Shrewsbury residents. One of the founding members, Sanam Zaer, said the group engages with local and national issues through education, dialogue and local action.

New little library tackles anti-racism
Photo by/Laura Hayes
Sanam Zaer, Phil Blumberg and Debbie Linder install the little library.

The library is one of their most recent initiatives, but the group has been involved in efforts around town, such as having the Kenneth F. Burns Memorial Bridge over Lake Quinsigamond lit in the Pan African colors for Juneteenth.

“Our hope is not just to increase visibility of local anti-racism efforts, but also give community members a tool to learn more about these issues and talk about them at home and in their social networks,” Zaer said.

Talks about creating the library began earlier this year. A Better Shrewsbury members got to work, creating a wish list of books to go into the library, organizing donations and creating a Facebook page for the little library

“I’m just the lucky one that had a house in a good location,” Linder joked. “My only skillset was having a front yard.”

New little library tackles anti-racism
Photo by/Laura Hayes
Phil Blumberg installs the new little library.

It was Blumberg’s first time building a little library. But he got to work and constructed the little library with the help of plans he found online.

In the days leading up to its opening, Blumberg was putting the final touches on the little library and installing it in Linder’s front yard.

“It was nice because it’s something that’s within my skillset,” he said. “So, it was a nice way for me to be able to contribute.”

One of the biggest changes from the original plans Blumberg worked with involved altering shelving so that children’s books, which come in a variety of sizes, would be able to fit in the library. 

Books are available for all reading levels, ranging from the children’s book “Hair Love” by Matthew Cherry to the nonfiction “How to be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi. 

Linder said that some of the titles were recommended by A Better Shrewsbury members, and others were donated. Some of the titles are in different languages.

“That’s the part that I love most about this, is that it really was a community coming together,” Linder said.

The Anti-Racist Free Little Library is an official registered little free library. 

Linder said the goal is for the library to be self-sustaining. The library operates on the honor code to bring a book to take a book, but Linder said she believes that because the library belongs to the community, people can take a book if they need it or drop off extra books if they have them.

“My front yard isn’t huge, but bring a picnic, bring a blanket, come read some books here,” Linder said.

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