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Grace's Little Free Library

Little Free Libraries are a global phenomenon. Madison alone has more than 400 Little Free Libraries. The small, front‐yard book exchanges number about 60,000 around the world in 80 countries — from Iceland to Tasmania to Pakistan. Now, a new Little Free Library at Grace Episcopal Church has joined the movement to share books, bring people together, and create a
community of readers.

 
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Dedication Ceremony

A dedication ceremony of Grace’s Little Free Library was held in the Karlen Garden located on North Carroll Street between the main tower red door entrance and the side entrance on Sunday, October 22, 2017, after the 10:00 am service. After Father Jonathan blessed the new addition with holy water everyone was invited to the Cornelia Vilas Hall for a fun book-themed reception hosted by the Grace Church Book Group and the Christian Formation Department.

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Artistry

Scott Brummond a craftsman that has built multiple little libraries around Evansville, WI built the miniature version of Grace Church. Artist and Grace Church member, Mary Ann Nanassy, painted the structure to replicate the Church’s stone and slate exterior, as well as the famous red doors. Pat Werk, the Christian Formation Director at Grace, took photographs of the Church’s stained glass windows and copied them onto  transparencies to be put in the windows
before Wolfgang Werk, also an active member of the congregation, installed the structure.

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INterest

Since its installation there has been a lot of interest in the Little Free Library on the Capitol Square. It is already being actively used by those walking past the church and is being checked by a group of volunteers every couple of days to be restocked with books.

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Perfect Location

Pat Werk, who is responsible for coming up with the idea of building a Little Free Library for Grace Church, says, “having a Little Free Library at Grace is another positive way our church can connect with the downtown community and those that live, work, and visit downtown Madison. We have such a diverse population of pedestrians- Grace’s food pantry guests, public servants, parishioners, students, downtown workforce, farmers’ market patrons, and tourists visiting Madison. Its location on the Capitol Square is the perfect place to carry out the Little Free Library mission.” Each year, nearly 10 million books are shared in Little Free Libraries. To learn more, please visit littlefreelibrary.org.

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Donations

In the spirit of the Little Free Library tagline, the downtown community is invited to “take a book, leave a book.”

Donations of most adult and children’s books, magazines, videos, and DVDs can be left in the Grace Church Little Library.

Contact Pat Werk or (608) 213-7558 to make large donations. Donations may also be placed in the Little Free Library bin in the back of the church.

Book lovers and Little Free Library fans are invited to “like” our Little Free Library at Grace
Church, Madison, WI Facebook page: www.facebook.com/LittleFreeLibraryatGraceEpiscopalChurchMadisonWI/