Medora’s Little Town Novelty That Gave Me a Little More Purpose

Too often I forget to notice the little things when I travel. The ones in the background on the way to the big things. Supporting characters, if you will. Like the whimsical painted fire hydrants scattered around Los Alamos, New Mexico (I missed most of those), or the quilt designs painted on barns in Kentucky (it took years for me to notice them), or the peculiar box I almost missed in downtown Medora, North Dakota. Thank goodness I didn’t, because it changed my life. This is how a little town novelty gave me a little more purpose.

Medora?

Most people I know have never heard of Medora, the small town of about 150 people in far west North Dakota just 30 miles from the Montana line. Medora is best known as the charming gateway for Theodore Roosevelt National Park which is why I was there in 2018.

After a whirlwind day of touring the park, we stopped in Medora to hunt down a certain bronze statue depicting Roosevelt wearing a cowboy hat and sword. It’s special because the sculptor incorporated a real sword in the design.

We spotted old Teddy on a street corner in front of the Old Town Hall Theater. As I walked up to the statue, something red caught my eye. It was a little barn-shaped structure in the middle of a flowerbed a short distance behind the statue. “Cute birdhouse”, I thought. I continued on to the statue, struck the standard pose with the President, and set my mind on finding dinner. But as I turned to walk away, I noticed the birdhouse again. I specifically noticed it wasn’t a birdhouse.

The box appeared to be a glass-fronted cabinet with something inside. Curious, I went to check it out. I certainly didn’t expect what I found. Books! “Why are there books in a box in a rock garden in front of this old theater?” I wondered. A small plaque over the door read, “Little Free Library”. Hmm… interesting.

I took a photo to remind me to do some research on this little town novelty, and then I promptly forgot about it. We were on our way to Yellowstone National Park the next day, so I was more than a little distracted.

So, What Is This Little Box?

In 2019, a few months after we got home, I was going through my photos and came across the not-a-birdhouse box. I searched the internet for “Little Free Library” and discovered what this novel little bookcase is all about.

Little Free Library is a world-wide book sharing program promoting literacy and the joys of reading. These little library boxes can be found all over the United States and many other countries. I couldn’t believe I’d never heard of it! I was head over heels.

The Way Little Free Library Works

People donate books to fill the box and anyone who passes by is invited to take a book for free. Unlike a conventional library, there is no requirement to return the books, but people are encouraged to leave a book for others to enjoy. A “pass it on” kind of thing. Having been an avid reader since I was a small child, I was enthralled. This wasn’t just a project I could support. This was something I could do! My mind started working.

And Then…

Life happened. I got distracted by, well – life. The little library was forgotten. Two years went by. Then one day as I was scrolling through those old North Dakota vacation photos, I came across Medora’s Little Free Library again. I felt a spark.

A few days later, I was walking around my hometown’s historic district and saw our own little town novelty tucked in an alley. “Where did that come from?” I’d walked past that spot dozens of times and never noticed it before. My right brain told me, “You can do this, Bekah”, but my left brain said, “Don’t be silly. You don’t even have a place to put it.” Good thing my right brain is stubborn.

My Little Plan

My plan was to put a Little Free Library near the playground in our neighborhood, but I knew it would be a non-starter when I realized I would have to fight a bureaucratic beast- the Homeowners Association. (Ever dealt with one of those?) That was not a challenge I was willing to take on.

I started racking my brain to come up with another location- a place with consistent foot traffic that would be convenient enough for me to keep an eye on the books. That narrowed my options to one. I’d have to take the Little Free Library to work. Since I work at a courthouse 40 hours per week, how much more convenient could I get? And there would be no shortage of foot traffic with court being held Monday-Friday. It was settled (at least for me).

I began building the persuasive argument I was certain I’d need to get started. I had it all worked out- “We have people sitting in the courthouse waiting for hours before their cases are called. Wouldn’t it make sense to have books available for them? Isn’t it important to encourage kids to read?” As it turned out, I didn’t need to plead my case at all. The powers that be didn’t need convincing. They were all in support.

Sure, there were some naysayers as word got around about my plan, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. No one wants to fail in front of God and everybody! But before I could talk myself out of the whole thing, I began seeking donations. With the help of a lot of big-hearted people from all over middle Tennessee, our county courthouse’s Little Free Library was established in April 2022. Almost three years later, it’s still going strong.

A Little Can Go a Long Way

Our little courthouse library has evolved into one of my great passions and given my life more meaning. To walk out of the office and see someone reading or rummaging the shelves always makes me smile. When it’s a mess, I don’t mind. That means people are using it.

I can’t help but think this Little Free Library is making more than a little bit of a difference. I know it has for me.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park left a lasting impression on me, but I will always remember Medora, North Dakota for the little town novelty that gave my life a little more purpose.

*To plan your adventures in Medora, ND and Theodore Roosevelt National Park, start HERE.