What Is Wrong With Kansas?
(Cartoon by Alfredo Martirena and snagged from cartoonstock.)
WTF?
Adults spend a lot of time expressing dismay that kids devote entirely too much time tweeting, texting, and playing games on the internet. So what happens when a kid embarks on a project which benefits his entire community by encouraging his neighbors of all ages to read books? The community shuts him down.
From the L.A. Times:
The idea of sharing his love of books with his neighbors was thrilling to 9-year-old Spencer Collins. So, with the help of his parents, he set up a Little Free Library in their yard in Leawood, Kansas.
City authorities told the family to take it down.
WTF?
Adults spend a lot of time expressing dismay that kids devote entirely too much time tweeting, texting, and playing games on the internet. So what happens when a kid embarks on a project which benefits his entire community by encouraging his neighbors of all ages to read books? The community shuts him down.
From the L.A. Times:
The idea of sharing his love of books with his neighbors was thrilling to 9-year-old Spencer Collins. So, with the help of his parents, he set up a Little Free Library in their yard in Leawood, Kansas.
City authorities told the family to take it down.
Little Free Libraries are a little like a dollhouse full of books: they sit on a pole or wall or fence, have two or three shelves and may include a protective glass door. An encouraging sign is posted -- "Take a book, return a book" -- prompting people who walk past to take a look and grab something to read. ...
The Leawood City Council said it had received a couple of complaints about Spencer Collins' Little Free Library. They dubbed it an "illegal detached structure" and told the Collins' they would face a fine if they did not remove the Little Free Library from their yard by June 19.
They did so. It's now set up in the family's garage. But Spencer isn't giving up.
In an interview with local television station KMBC, Collins ruminated on creating a pulley system to raise and lower the Little Free Library to provide access. While that probably won't happen, he is likely to follow through on his plans to appear at the Leawood City Council to suggest Little Free Libraries be allowed. [Emphasis added]
Spencer Collins is a young man who should be congratulated, not only for his love of reading, but also for his community spirit. Not only did he provide a rather nifty free service, he's also willing to fight for his right to do so in a perfectly responsible way. His parents can be very proud of him, as should his neighbors.
Way to go, Spencer!
The Leawood City Council said it had received a couple of complaints about Spencer Collins' Little Free Library. They dubbed it an "illegal detached structure" and told the Collins' they would face a fine if they did not remove the Little Free Library from their yard by June 19.
They did so. It's now set up in the family's garage. But Spencer isn't giving up.
In an interview with local television station KMBC, Collins ruminated on creating a pulley system to raise and lower the Little Free Library to provide access. While that probably won't happen, he is likely to follow through on his plans to appear at the Leawood City Council to suggest Little Free Libraries be allowed. [Emphasis added]
Spencer Collins is a young man who should be congratulated, not only for his love of reading, but also for his community spirit. Not only did he provide a rather nifty free service, he's also willing to fight for his right to do so in a perfectly responsible way. His parents can be very proud of him, as should his neighbors.
Way to go, Spencer!
Labels: Kansas, Literature
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