A little over a year ago, I returned home to Bonita Springs after a tune-up at the transplant clinic in Tampa. Part of my recovery involved long walks through Tampa neighborhoods - simple, healing movement. I found myself drawn to the Little Free Libraries scattered around the city. I walked to as many as I could. Each one was a small treasure box, filled with stories and surprises, and those walks became a quiet part of my healing.
Before I even came home, I had already researched and sourced a Little Free Library to install right here in Bonita Springs. When I arrived back, it was waiting for me. A dear friend even assembled a table so I could paint it, inside and out, layer after layer, to make it as waterproof and long-lasting as possible. I was still hurting, physically and emotionally, but that little project gave me purpose. A few days later, the same friend installed it for me.
From the beginning, I hoped people would enjoy exchanging books and learning more about the Little Free Library movement. I stocked the first batch with books Jerry ☘️loved his favorite genres. Over time, the library developed a personality of its own, shaped by the people who visited it. It’s been through a self-help phase, a business and growth phase, a romance novel streak, a religious chapter, and even a period filled with popular book series from well-known authors. It even has a small children's section. It’s been a joy to watch it evolve.
Tonight, I stopped by just to tidy things up and I was genuinely surprised. The library was not only completely full, but also perfectly organized. Someone had clearly played a bit of book-Jenga to make every title fit neatly on the shelves. It made me smile to think someone cared that much. 💚
Next to the Little Free Library, I also installed a commercial bench. I had a hunch it might be useful, and it has been. I've watched people of all ages take a moment there, resting during a walk or using it as a recovery goal after surgery or injury. That simple bench has become part of many quiet victories.
There’s also a trash can nearby something I added after noticing litter being tossed from the nearby Oak Creek bridge. Once installed, it filled quickly, confirming my suspicions. Now, with the increasing foot traffic brought by nearby spots like Rooftop at Riverside and The Sugar Shack, it’s regularly full. A small change, but a meaningful one for keeping our town clean.
As someone who lives and works in this neighborhood as a local real estate agent, I just wanted to contribute something wholesome, something that didn’t cost anything but could help build character, connection and community. It’s easy to get caught up in sales and stats, but this felt like a way to give back in a quieter, more lasting way. Someone once said they tought I was a teetotaler because of this statement but now they get it: There are fewer and fewer things to do downtown that don't involve alcohol. America likes to get it's swerve on and that's ok but there are kids in this area, too, who need to grow, learn and develop.
There’s no big moral to this story. I just wanted to shine a light on the Little Free Library system and invite you to visit one. Bonita Springs has at least four now:
- At the Bonita Shores Club
- At Victoria on Bonita Beach Road
- At the Bonita Springs Historical Society McSwain Home
- And one at the corner of Pennsylvania and Rio Vista Circle 🙋🏼
You can find them using the official Little Free Library app or by visiting littlefreelibrary.org. And remember: you don’t have to leave a book to take one, and you don’t have to return it to the same library either. It’s simply about sharing stories, ideas and joy.
I think it’s beautiful how people are walking to feel better, reading to understand the perspective of others. Who would have thought that contributing something as simple as a Little Free Library could have changed a sidewalk so much.
Thank you for visiting the our Little Free Library. It makes my heart swell to see how well loved is. 💓