Free Little Library comes to Amber


Amber’s Free Little Library contains numerous kids’ books for the taking. You can take and return a book, or take a book and replace it with one of your own. Children’s and adult books were recently donated for the little library.

Bobby Krum, the unofficial mayor of Amber, took it upon himself to build a Free Little Library in the community of Amber. The exchange library is located in front of the Amber Community Club on County Road E-23. (Photos submitted)
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     Amber, Iowa, known for the famous Hula Hoop Tree, which is located on County Home Road E-23, now has another reason to draw visitors.

     Earlier this year, the unofficial Amber Mayor, Bobby Krum, took on the project of building a Free Little Library to add to the community. The free book exchange program is now in place, located in front of the Amber Community Club building on E-23.

     Free Little Library is a worldwide program, with over 70,000 little libraries stationed in small towns, major cities, and rural settings.

     “I’ve seen it done in other communities,” said Krum.

     In fact, Jones County is home to five Free Little Libraries, aside from Amber, located in Monticello and Anamosa.

     Krum said he was online looking for ideas to attract people to small towns like Amber when the idea for a little library came to mind.

     “I’m always looking for things to enhance Amber,” he said. In fact, those who help to promote the small town use the hashtag #AmberProud.

     Krum is in the process of registering Amber’s library online through Free Little Library. It will be listed on the website for all to see and find.

     The library is dedicated to Krum’s mother who has been an English teacher for 37 years in Maquoketa.

     “She’s been a great influence in my life,” Krum said of his mom.

     The saying on the registration plaque reads: “Libraries big or small, we love them all.”

     After Krum got the idea to build a little library, he brought it to the Amber Community Club’s attention to seek their permission.

     “They were all for it,” he said.

     The structure stands at a height perfect for little kids to reach in and out of. Presently it’s filled with numerous kids’ books, all donated by Amber resident Regina Engelbart. Krum said EchoVision, the company he works for, also donated adult books for the library as well.

     “This is a big help,” he said of the recent donations.

     The concept of a Free Little Library is for people to take a book, read it, and either return it or replace it with a book of their own they’d like to share with others. Krum said they are working on getting an Amber library stamp to track how far the books travel to other Free Little Libraries. The book travels will be shared on the Amber Community Club’s Facebook page.

     When it came to the right design for the little library, Krum said he simply Googled various options. He used old barn boards he already had on hand and galvanized tin to add to the rustic look of the structure.

     “I am not a professional carpenter by any means,” warned Krum. “I just wanted it kid-friendly and to make sure it was safe and weather proof.”

     Krum and his wife, Heidi (Osterkamp), moved to Amber in 2005. Heidi is originally from the area. In 2010, the couple joined the Amber Community Club, and quickly learned of the club’s declining membership.

     “During our first meeting, we voted to keep it going and paid our dues,” Krum said.

     While not from the area himself, Krum has taken a liking to Amber, and does all he can to promote the area.

     “It’s exciting to see how much Amber used to have,” he said of researching the businesses that once occupied the town.

     Inside the Community Club, you’ll find Amber memorabilia stemming from those businesses and more.

     “We hope to expand it,” Krum said.

     The Community Club is now an official 501(c)3 non-profit.

 

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