The Ledger

From Staff Reports

COCHRAN — Looking for something to read? Have a few current books in good condition that you’ve already enjoyed and are ready to pass along?

The Ledger recently took another look around Cochran to see where the community’s free little libraries are located and how they’re holding up. This time we found seven locations around town, and while some could use a little physical maintenance, for the most part they’re still standing, still stocked and still waiting for readers.

A free little library is exactly what it sounds like — a small, community-based book exchange where people can take a book to read and, if they’re able, leave a book for someone else. You don’t need a library card, there’s no checkout date and leaving a book isn’t required to take one. The idea is simply to keep books circulating through the community.

Where We Found Them

The Ledger located free little libraries at:

• Bleckley Memorial Hospital — in the outdoor area between the administration area and the entrance near the nurses station and chapel.
• Track near the Bleckley County Board of Education office — enter through the gate leading to the pickleball courts.
• Cochran-Bleckley County Recreation Department — in front of the Glenn Sawyer Building.
• Bleckley County Health Department — near the front entrance.
• Beech Street laundromat/beauty supply area — across from State Bank of Cochran.
• Tenth House Consignment Shop — at the corner of Beech and Second streets.
• City Auditorium — across from the post office and next to the Cochran Police Department.

Now comes the fun part: Let’s load ’em up.

All seven locations could use some newer books in good condition, particularly books that today’s readers will be excited to pick up.

Children’s and young adult books are especially needed. The libraries at the track, recreation department and hospital are in particular need of updated books for younger readers.

Adult books are welcome, too. The hospital and track locations could especially benefit from newer adult selections, but truthfully, all of the little libraries could use some fresh choices.

If you have books gathering dust at home, this is an easy way to give them another life. Drop off a few, straighten a shelf while you’re there and maybe take something home that catches your eye.

And what about the old books already inside?

If you remove older books to make room and they’re still in decent, usable condition, consider taking them to the Tessie W. Norris Cochran-Bleckley Library, where donated books may be useful for book sales. If a book is mildewed, badly damaged, missing covers or otherwise beyond saving, give it a respectful goodbye. Not every book can — or should — live forever.

The goal isn’t to fill the boxes with whatever we can find. It’s to make these little libraries inviting places where a child, teenager or adult can open the door and actually find something they want to read.

So grab a few books, straighten a shelf and load ’em up.

And if you visit one of Cochran’s little libraries to donate books, take a photo or video and share it on Facebook. Tag @thecbledger so we can see — and share — the community keeping Cochran reading.

Know of another free little library in Cochran or Bleckley County that we missed? Let The Ledger know so we can add it to the list.