Former Village Clerk Launches Free Library in Oswego

Looking to do a little summer reading?

Head over to Oswego's Park Street, where former village clerk Jeanne Hester has launched a free library.

Hester, who served the village for 12 years before retiring in 2012, said she got the idea to launch the Park Street Little Library while browsing the Internet.

She stumbled across Littlefreelibrary.org, a movement that encourages neighborhoods to set up free libraries with a "take a book, return a book" policy.

Hester found an old newspaper vending box, repainted it and set up her own Little Free Library in front of her home at 62 Park Street.

"I had a few extra books and it seemed like something fun to do — and maybe meet a few neighbors," Hester said. "

The free book receptacle is open 24/7, and literature lovers are welcome to drop by and pick out something to read — then return it when they're done. Hester said she even has children's books available. 

"I tease my neighbors that if they can't sleep at 3 o'clock in the morning, come by and grab a book," she said.

Little Free Library operators can add their locations to a map of area book pickup/dropoff spots. Hester said in addition to the Oswego location, Little Free Libraries can be found in towns including St. Charles and Sugar Grove.

Check out the website to find out more about Little Free Libraries.