August 29, 2022 3:20 a.m.

Tiny free community libraries are being installed at five parks in Roseburg, thanks to a community driven project involving wood shop students and a local nonprofit.

Roseburg Parks and Recreation staff are setting up the small, wooden book-sharing cabinets that will be available for people who would like to take a free book, or leave one for someone else to enjoy.

Parks Program Manager Val Ligon said the libraries are being set up in Brown, Commercial Street, Eastwood, Laurelwood and Thompson parks.

The project was organized by Altrusa International of Roseburg. Shirley Northcraft from the group reached out to both school and parks staff. The book sharing boxes were built by ten Joseph Lane Middle School eighth graders taking an advanced wood shop class with teacher Matt Hall. Each structure bears a handmade sign that identifies the student builders.

Members of Altrusa’s literacy committee will stock and maintain the library cabinets at no cost. They are also seeking donations of books that can be left in the boxes. For more information, contact Altrusa at: roseburgaltrusa@gmail.com