E-books are enormously popular these days, but for those who love to read, there’s a unique pleasure in turning the page, finishing a chapter, learning the ending, and looking forward to the next book by a favorite author.
Peñasco is blessed with several well-stocked, English-language lending libraries – some with thousands of books in a wide variety of genres – and now, there’s a miniature lending library on Pelican Point in La Choya.
Bob Keller is an avid reader and a “maker” who learned about the Little Free Library organization and decided to join the hundreds of thousands of readers who have placed free little libraries in their neighborhoods across all 50 states in the U.S., and in 120 countries worldwide.
“I had seen the little boxes all over the place for many years, and I was fascinated,” Keller said. “I thought this would be a great way to share with others what I enjoy reading.”
It’s a take-one, leave-one lending library system, but if you don’t have a book to leave, it’s perfectly fine. “At first, I thought I would have to be stocking it from my own library, but I was wrong. As many books are left as go out. Every other day I look in and see completely different books than were there two days ago,” Keller explained.
“Out-of-towners can’t usually borrow from a city library, but those travelers can find a Little Free Library box that’s open year-round, seven days a week,” he added. At this point, there are only two library boxes in the Rocky Point area, and Keller’s is the only one registered.
The concept of the Little Free Libraries was the brainchild of Todd Bol and Rick Brooks of Hudson, Wisc. Bol’s goal was to beat Andrew Carnegie’s record of founding 2,509 actual libraries. He reached his goal in 2012, and in 2025 the 501C3 organization celebrated the 200,000th little library.
The organization’s website – www.littlefreelibrary.org – includes a map showing all registered, managed book boxes. It also offers tips on building a Little Free Library in your neighborhood.
Keller said, “I’m a do-it-yourselfer, so building the box wasn’t a major project – it’s just a big birdhouse! If starting from scratch isn’t your thing, the organization sells kits and materials to help make it easier.”
He said fiction books seem to be the most popular, but one of the first books grabbed up was “Grilling for Dummies.” Now THAT’S a page-turner, a real meaty read!
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Bob Keller restocks the Little Free Library he built and placed at his home at La Choya’s Pelican Point.
This new library box is one of 200,000 worldwide that are registered with the Little Free Library organization for the convenience of avid readers.
