April is THE month to
celebrate reading. First, it’s DEAR, Drop Everything and Read Month. April is also
National Poetry Month and School Library Month. Other dates this month to consider include:
April 02 –
International Children’s Book Day
April 12 –
National Drop Everything and Read Day
April 12 –
National Library Workers Day
April 13 –
National Bookmobile Day
April 30 –
Independent Book Store Day
In addition
to these dates on the calendar encouraging reading, there are many places that
support the wonders of the written word, most obviously libraries and bookstores—whether
brick and mortar, on wheels, or online.
In Greenwich,
though, we have another option, not as obvious, perhaps, but just as
significant, the Book Shed at the Greenwich Recycling Center.
Last year
Greenwich Oral History Project interviewer, Sally McHale, interviewed Douglas
Francefort, founder of the Greenwich Book Shed at the recycling center.
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| Douglas Francefort at his post in front of the Greenwich Recycling Center Book Shed (photo courtesy of Leslie Yager, Greenwich Free Press) |
Francefort, a
longtime recycler, began recycling books in the 1980s, before the shed was in
existence. In those days the books, packed in boxes, had to be placed out on
tables for viewing and then packed up again at the end of the day. Eventually
the shed, designed by Francefort, was built by carpenters assigned by Maurice
(Zip) Roddy, head of Public Works.
The book
shed opened officially in September 1995, a success from the start—but not
without its share of challenges, too many books donated to handle, vandalism when
the shed was unattended. That was the time Francefort had to take action by
temporarily shutting the shed down. But help was on the way, from members of
the Retired Men’s Association who came down and pitched in as volunteers. Not
only were they there to help monitor the overeager, they helped with the
overflow. The shed’s ongoing issue is one of inventory, a lot of it.
Today
overflow books deemed salvageable and of interest are donated to places such as
the Mews, hospital cancer wards, and to the senior center. Children’s books are
donated and set up on shelves at Neighbor-to-Neighbor and given to neighboring
school districts in need as well. In the summer, Francefort takes books to the
Island Beach dock and another volunteer is responsible for books at Tod’s
Point.
The books
are never displayed at the shed or at other locations without thought given to
placement on the shelves or to genres. In summers thought is given to likely themes
of interest, such as romance, mystery. Year round there are cross-referenced
lists, by theme and by author, for example.
Handling a
large inventory is always a challenge. And publicity may very well magnify the
issue. The book shed has been featured in the New York Times, as well as in local newspapers and magazines.
Howard Fast used the book shed as the vehicle for a “meet cute” scene in his
novel, Greenwich, published in 2000,
three years before his death. In the book, a character Christina, a lovely
dark-haired young woman, meets Dickie, a blond-haired, blue-eyed young chap, at
the “book shack” at the Greenwich “dump,” (a word Francefort eschews in favor of
the term, recycling center). The pair’s first date goes awry pretty quickly,
but that’s a topic for another time.
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| Young readers checking out the wide selection of children's books at the Book Shed (photo courtesy of Leslie Yager, Greenwich Free Press) |
Asked if he
needed more books, Francefort said what he really needed was more help. But not
the “accidental” kind, rather, the committed kind. He and his stalwart helper,
Lorrie Stapleton, need the assistance of volunteers who can commit to a regular
schedule.
Running the
book shed is a labor of love—requiring a lot of labor.
What does
the future hold for the Greenwich book shed? The answer is still uncertain.
Douglas Francefort may actually wish to surrender his role as the “town
bookie,” as he calls it, someday in the not too distant future. Will his trusty
helper, Lorrie Stapleton, take over? Will the book shed continue to exist at
the recycling center? (There have been rumors of its demise, untrue its fans
hope.)
Inquiring
minds, the ones attracted to reading, want to know, but answers are not
forthcoming. One thing is certain, though. If you enjoy book browsing, if you
like a bargain, then the Greenwich book shed at the recycling center is the
place for you.
Spring is in
the air—and April is DEAR!
The Greenwich Oral
History Project interview, “Book Shed at the Recycling Center,” (April 2015)
narrated by Douglas Francefort, is available in the reference area on the first
floor of the Greenwich Library or through the Oral History Project office,
located on the lower level of the library.
