The concept of building and erecting small birdhouse-style structures and turning them into lending libraries for neighbors and passersby was born in Wisconsin in 2009 and since then the idea has taken off like a wildfire with numerous groups and individuals adopting the idea and both building and erecting them around the country. The idea is to take a book and leave a book, too.
Locally, Joey Carbone’s name has become synonymous with the idea. His wife, Jen, read about the concept and asked him if he would build one for her and, the rest, as they say, is history!
“I do not have a background in carpentry,” Carbone admitted. “Everything that I know, I learned from my father who doesn’t have a background in carpentry either but is the handiest person I know. When I was young, I would watch him every chance I got, whether he was fixing a hole in the wall or building a desk. He taught me everything and still teaches me to this day. He even helps build mini libraries for us.”
Once friends and neighbors saw the Carbones’ mini-library, they began asking Joey to build custom little libraries for them, as well, and he obliged as much as he could, using donated materials and volunteer help from friends and neighborhood kids. He has never accepted pay for a library.
“People call me crazy for not charging for the libraries,” he continued, “but I don’t do it for the money. I do it simply because it is nice to be nice. Since we don’t charge anything for a library, we are able to reach more families. That’s what it’s all about — spreading the love of reading and knowledge and giving more access to literature. The payment I get is seeing the happy families enjoy the libraries and that is plenty for me.”
“We have all of our mini libraries in Mount Prospect, except for a few special cases. There is one at Dewey School in Evanston, another at a community garden on the south side of Chicago, and two that are technically in Des Plaines but are very, very close to Mount Prospect. We have a total of 61 mini libraries right now.”
And they are all unique neighborhood works of art, if you will – which get neighbors sharing and talking and helping one another.
“I couldn’t have done this without some wonderful and generous neighbors,” Carbone continued. “This has been a group effort in many ways. I have an amazing group of consistent volunteers that help cut wood, paint, even dig holes to install the mini libraries.”
“I’ve met so many wonderful, kind and generous people in our community and have even gained lifelong friends. I’ve also taught my two sons so much about woodworking, art, painting and philanthropy.”
While Carbone’s mini-library pre-dated the pandemic, the worldwide health crisis had an effect on it during 2020.
“The pandemic caused people to become more interested in the mini libraries — because it was a safe and fun thing to do,” Carbone said. “They are able to social distance, be outside and stay safe. This year we even had “contactless Halloween” where we had over 35 mini library “custodians” supply treats for kids that they could find via Google map.”
The Carbones and those with Carbone-built mini-libraries have even turned them into mini pantries during these difficult times.
“I had seen mini pantries online and since the pandemic made it especially hard for people to go grocery shopping, I thought we could help our community by turning our mini libraries into mini pantries,” he related. “Many helped by stocking canned goods, non-perishable foods, toilet paper, hand sanitizer and many other items in their libraries. These items were available to anyone who needed a little help with no questions asked. Everything is shared through our ‘MP Mini Library Mission’ Facebook group.”
In early February 2021 Carbone was honored for his mini-libraries by Mount Prospect’s Special Events Commission during its first-ever VIRTUAL Shining Stars Award ceremony. He received the “Home Town Award” which recognizes a group or individual that has done something special to promote the feeling of community or to further unify the diverse groups within the community and who exemplifies the village’s motto, “Where Friendliness is a Way of Life.”