Little Free Library Dedication at Campbell Park

Cat in the Hat painted Little Free Library on post in park with playground equipment in background

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 8, 2019

St. Helens, Ore. – Campbell Park in St. Helens is home to a new Cat in the Hat themed Little Free Library thanks to a partnership between the St. Helens Arts and Cultural Commission and a community member. The community is invited to attend a small dedication ceremony on Saturday, May 18 at 10 a.m.

The Campbell Park Little Free Library was constructed and painted by Thomas O’Hanlon. He was inspired by his two small children and the recent installation of a Little Free Library at Grey Cliffs Park which was created in partnership between the Arts and Cultural Commission and St. Helens High School Woodshop student Justin Waid. The Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization which encourages “take a book, return a book” free book exchange locations in communities.

Thomas O’Hanlon raised funds for his Cat in the Hat Little Free Library and connected with Dr. Seuss Enterprises to ask for approval to use their imagery. When completed, he donated the Little Free Library to the St. Helens Arts and Cultural Commission for installation. The library was installed at Campbell Park on Friday, May 3.

The Arts and Cultural Commission is hosting a small gathering to celebrate the installation on Saturday, May 18, at Campbell Park at 10 a.m. The community is encouraged to attend the dedication celebration and bring a new or used book to place in the library. This date is in conjunction with the Big Share, a celebration of the Little Free Library’s 10-year anniversary. Learn more about the Big Share at https://littlefreelibrary.org/big-share/.

This is the second officially registered Little Free Library (Charter #82603) in St. Helens and can be located on the Little Free Library’s world map at https://littlefreelibrary.org/ourmap/.

“I was excited to receive acceptance from the community for the addition of my Little Free Library,” said Thomas O’Hanlon. “I hope that it inspires and motivates children to read and be creative.”

The mission of the St. Helens  Arts and Cultural Commission is to encourage opportunities for recognition of arts and culture in the city of St. Helens. The goal is to bring the community closer together, improve livability, give the town identity, and draw people in. The Commission also fosters art engagement from small to large scale, art workshops, and community art events.

The Little Free Library nonprofit organization has been honored by the Library of Congress, the National Book Foundation, and the American Library Association. Reader’s Digest named them one of the “50 Surprising Things We Love about America.” Each year, nearly 10 million books are shared in Little Free Libraries.

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For further information regarding the Arts and Cultural Commission’s Little Free Library installation at Campbell Park, please contact Arts and Cultural Commission Vice Chair Kimberly O’Hanlon at kimohlig@gmail.com or 503-867-2037.