A new Little Free Library, installed on the grounds near the front entrance of the Essex Library, aims to further encourage a love of reading throughout the community, for everyone, but especially young children.

“We were so excited to be able to open this on June 12, right at the beginning of summer,” said Christina Carpino, children’s and teen services librarian for the Essex Library Association (ELA). “I think it is a great way to kick off the summer, by getting books into kid’s hands.”

The Little Free Library was designed, constructed, and installed in collaboration with students at Connecticut Coastal Academy (CCA) in Essex through the school’s Home Builders Institute program, which offers pre-apprenticeship training in the construction trades.

“Robert Smith, the lead teacher, and two students, Frank Levanto and Brendan Rowell, came up with the idea of building something that could be enjoyed by everyone in the community,” said CCA Executive Director and Founder Pamela Potemri.

“We did some research and discovered that Essex did not have a Little Free Library, so we reached out to Essex Library Association with the idea, and they were very receptive. They’ve been wonderful to work with and so supportive of our kids,” continued Potemri.

The Little Free Library was designed to resemble the Essex Library building, with elements such as bricks and an arched doorway, mirroring the library’s arched window.

It was unveiled during the library’s “Founder’s Day” celebration on June 12, which honors the start of the library by Willis Russell, an Essex resident and doctor with a medical practice at 1 Essex Plaza, now occupied by Talbots. In 1889, he started a small lending library with 50 of his own books at the site, with an invitation to the community to add to the collection.

“I think what was great about it (the unveiling) being on Founder’s Day is that Dr. Russell took something small and then expanded it,” said ELA Executive Director Deborah Smith.

Once the collection in Essex was established, Captain Joseph Tucker bequeathed the funds to build a permanent site at 3 South Main Street. The library moved to its current location at 33 West Avenue in 1980.

Similarly, Todd Bol of Hudson, Wisconsin built the first Little Free Library in 2009 in honor of his mother, an avid reader. The concept, which is essentially a book exchange, grew and the Little Free Library became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2012. There are now more than 100,000 registered Little Free Libraries worldwide.

In Essex, Carpino said the Little Free Library contains books for everyone, but that it is now primarily stocked with materials geared toward children, as the library had received a large quantity of donated children’s books in good condition.

“While we have materials for all ages, we’re really hoping that this is going to benefit the children in our community,” said Carpino, who adds that the books are a great option for children visiting grandparents in the area for the summer.

“This is a great way for them to get some books and have some books in the home while they’re visiting on vacation, or if they want books that they want to bring with them to the beach, or the park or on a boat and not worry so much like you would with a library book,” she said.

For a child, owning a book that is read repeatedly can also help build early literacy skills, said Carpino.

“So, early literacy skills like print awareness, vocabulary development, that all comes from reading and especially from reading familiar stories over and over,” she said.

“But then also for them to be exposed to new things, by having books that are being selected by the community, being shared by the community, it just allows kids to have access to an even more diverse collection of books,” she continued.

Children can also earn a free book and help raise funds that will be donated to the Mystic Aquarium Sea Rescue Foundation, by visiting either the Essex or Ivoryton Libraries and signing up for the summer reading program. Online registration is available at essexlibrary.readsquared.com.