Alone Together During Coronavirus (COVID-19) Social Distancing: How a Free Pop-up Library Can Help Neighbors Stay Connected by Tiffany Zook


Alone Together During Coronavirus (COVID-19) Social Distancing: How a Free Pop-up Library Can Help Neighbors Stay Connected

Our family hosts a monthly charity yard sale for The Gem Foundation, a home for special needs orphans in Uganda. We knew this month hosting a sale was out of the question because of coronavirus (COVID-19) social distancing, but we still wanted to have some neighborhood fun. 

We were able to dig out all the bookstoyspuzzles and games we could find. The kids made a “free” poster and we created a pop-up free library for the driveway on a folding table. In the morning, we enjoyed watching families browse books and toys. Several neighbors stopped as they walked their dogs or were out on a bike ride. 

Here’s how to create your pop-up library: 

  • Clean out your bookshelves. Include books for all ages, if possible. Ask your neighbors to “take and leave” if they have books to donate as well.
  • Add puzzles and family games you have already completed or have outgrown.
  • Wrangle up all those small treasure box trinkets from kids parties or classrooms. Repurpose them in plastic storage bags or party loot bags. Kids love to pick a toy while choosing a new book.
  • Post a photo of your pop-up library on your neighborhood Facebook page along with street address. 

Pick a sunny day and enjoy waving to your neighbors as they take home a new novel or family board game!

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Folding Tables $25 & Up
Storage Bags $3 & Up
Poster Board $2 & Up
Markers $3 & Up
Loot Bags $2 & Up
Books $1 & Up
Toys $4 & Up
Games $6 & Up
Puzzles $5 & Up

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Elisa Schmitz
I absolutely love this idea, Tiffany Zook , and I love your big heart. Thank you for all you do to make a difference in this world!
Tiffany Zook
Here is a photo of the trinket bags.

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