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It isn't uncommon for members of the Rotary Club of Downtown Lock Haven to take to the newspaper or social media to notify the public of vandalism to one of its many Little Libraries.
And what a shame that is.
The club began the Little Red Library project in 2019 as a way to give back to the community. Since the first libraries were installed in Triangle and Hanna parks, it has since grown to include six total in almost every public park within Lock Haven. Two more are even set to be placed in the Tiger Den Playground and at Riverview Park across the West Branch of the Susquehanna River in Woodward Township.
With The Express so close to Triangle Park, staff here can often see many, young and old alike, browsing the options the library has there.
And to think this kind gesture by the Rotary faces constant vandalism. From shingles ripped off the roofs of the small, school-house shaped boxes, to doors broken and -- most recently in Hoberman Park -- having it completely removed from its base and knocked to the ground. There are even instances where the books have been removed and scattered across the ground, pages ripped from the spines.
The books inside these libraries are purchased and donated by Rotarians or other community members.
And those who enjoy the libraries sometimes even follow the take-a-book-leave-a-book method.
The libraries themselves are constructed due to the kindness of local craftsman Thomas L. Brown -- who also has to make the repairs each time one of these beautiful structures is damaged.
And he continues to do so.
Just as the members of Rotary Club of Downtown Lock Haven attempt to take steps to foster the program they've created and continue its growth.
With the most recent vandalism, members have contacted city officials to find a new location in Hoberman Park that may be more visible.
Members hope this can happen to help deter those who find some kind of strange joy in destroying something that was created to encourage literacy and imagination.
As a community, we should be looking to protect this precious (and free) learning resource right alongside Rotary's members.
We would hate to see this program lose steam and fade away if the constant attacks against it continue.
We urge anyone with information about the vandalism to contact Lock Haven Police at 570.893.5911, or the county at 570.893.4070, or dial 9-1-1 if you witness the vandalism in progress.
Police need all the help they can get.