EASTHAMPTON – This past Christmas, Jenny Papageorge, gifted her husband, Sean Casey, a little library. This makes the second Little Free Library in Easthampton.

“Her cousin built it. It was a wonderful present. We waited until this past spring to install it on a corner of our front lawn at 11 Sheldon Ave.,” Casey said.

They have installed it on the edge of their lawn by the road so people passing by can access it. Casey said it is exciting to see people stop and look and make use of the free library. He said he loves books himself and has overflowing shelves inside his home as well.

Papageorge decided on this gift after he decided to go back to school to become a librarian. “It was a very thoughtful gift,” said Casey.

Little libraries like Casey’s are free and designed to serve the communities. People can take a book to read and return it to the same library or another one. Residents can also leave a book to add to the collection.

While he keeps the library stocked with books, his neighbors help out and donate books to his little library.

He has made a Facebook page where he posts what new books he has added to the collection. The library is available to residents every day, all day long. “I don’t know how many people browse at night. Maybe I should install a light,” said Casey.

Since the books may come from many different places, people should know that they are not disinfected, but he does have hand sanitizer in there for people’s use.

The little free library is not associated with the town. There is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting these little free libraries, and it has a map that allows interested individuals to search the location of little libraries all around the world. Casey’s library is registered with Little Free Library and can be located on their map.