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

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 books, toys, puzzles 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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