Watch for Little Free Libraries - the latest Newport Rotary community project!

Newport Rotarians met up on a fine spring morning...April 23, 2021…armed with a post hole digger, concrete, a shovel, and two little free libraries (LFL). The first went in front of the Family Life Center at St James Methodist Church in Newport, located in the middle of several neighborhoods. Rotarians Rick Moreau, Matt Shortway (President), and Steve Blizzard prepped the hole. They did the final construction on the LFL…while Tammy Blizzard and Anita Moreau prepared the concrete…under the strict supervision of Rachel Shortway (age 5), daughter of Matt Shortway. 

The same crew then made their way over to Downtown Newport – to install a second LFL on the corner of the Newport History Museum (conveniently located next to the Rotary Bench). Bevin and Pam Wall joined them. This LFL is also located directly across the street from Newport Elementary School – and the Museum site was chosen with that in mind. It took a day for the concrete to harden, making sure that the LFL’s were stable – and both were loaded with books for children and adults alike on early Sunday afternoon. 

Three LFL’s have been installed and stocked, and we are so incredibly grateful to those folks who have agreed to have them on/near their property. The increased sense of “community” is a wonderful thing to see, particularly after the last year, when so many faced isolation. Newport Rotary continues to seek ways to serve the Newport Community and all who live here. Contributed by Rtn. Anita Moreau