McDuffie Park Now Home to ‘Little Libra


HiddenPark (1)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 11, 2014/CONTACT/Paul Hyso, 768-5303 or physo@cabq.gov

 McDuffie-Twin Parks Neighborhood Association Promotes Literacy

 ALBUQUERQUE—The movement to create ‘tiny libraries’ has been around for at least 20 years. It was started by citizens who erected small house-like cabinets on posts where passers-by could take and/or leave books. Usually these little structures have a window door that shows off the contents, and are whimsically decorated as brightly painted, miniature buildings.  Over the years this concept has been enthusiastically embraced by people across the country, who found that it expands the sense of community, serves as a local ‘water-cooler’ gathering place, and of course, promotes literacy. The movement was formalized in 2012 when the ‘Little Free Library’ non-profit was founded to build and give away mini library structures, promote the idea worldwide, and distribute construction plans. (http://littlefreelibrary.org/).  Many more of these libraries have been created on an ad-hoc basis by interested citizens in local communities.

Mr. Barry Simon – President of the McDuffie-Twin Parks Neighborhood Association – reached out to the City of Albuquerque Parks and Recreation Department to find out if a project of this type might be possible in his neighborhood’s McDuffie Park.   The Parks and Recreation Department worked with the neighborhood association to build and install the library safely and in the appropriate location in the park. Two volunteers from the neighborhood will monitor the library and act as ‘little librarians’.

To celebrate, the McDuffie-Twin Parks Neighborhood Association and The Parks and Recreation Department will hold a ‘little reception’ for the new little library Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 11am. McDuffie “Hidden” Park is located at 3708 Mackland Avenue NE (map: http://goo.gl/maps/ZqKp4). Please join us!