Middleton Woman Donates Four Little Free Libraries to Local School District

Christine McCarthy is transferring ownership of four Little Free Libraries to the Middleton School District before she moves out of state. The project, which originated in her Middleton neighborhood, now holds hundreds of books intended for local families and children.

McCarthy established the initial library to provide an easy way for residents to find reading material. The project expanded rapidly as community members began donating their own volumes. McCarthy recalled that mothers would knock on her door or stop her on the street to drop off books, often addressing her as "library lady."

The expansion was not without obstacles. The homeowners association associated with McCarthy’s property objected to the presence of the library. She described the disagreement as focusing on the visual appearance rather than the function of the structure. "It’s not about the library. It’s about what it looks like. It’s the aesthetic," McCarthy said. After discussions with the association stalled, she relocated the library to her front porch.

With her move to Washington approaching, McCarthy decided the project should remain in Idaho. "It was meant for here. It’s my legacy," she said. The district has agreed to accept the libraries, and staff will relocate them to Middleton Community School. The school already provides free food and clothing to local families, and the new book collections will add another resource for students.

McCarthy expressed hope that the books will be read by children with diverse interests. "I bought them for all the kids to read, and I want them to be read. And if one kid loves dragons as much as my son, I win," she said.

On Monday night, McCarthy also assisted a separate community effort. A neighbor on the North End posted on Facebook that a local Little Free Library and nearby structures had been emptied. McCarthy provided a box of books to Idaho News 6 reporter Victoria Rodriguez to help restock those locations.

The transfer to Middleton Community School is scheduled to begin next week. The libraries will be unavailable during the relocation process, and the district will provide further details on their reopening schedule.