Davie School Inn unveils Little Free Library

Readers have a new opportunity to check out a book to read thanks to the owners of a Union County bed and breakfast business.

A Little Free Library has been set up on the grounds of the Davie School Inn at 300 Freeman St. in Anna. Lyle and Tammy Woodrum are the owners of the business.

On Friday, June 14, the Davie School Inn unveiled Anna’s first community Little Free Library.     

Tammy Woodrum explained in an email that the Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that inspires a love of reading, builds community and sparks creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges.    

Currently there are over 80,000 Little Free Libraries in over 90 countries around the world.     

Each Little Free Library is registered with the organization and the location is available on an interactive Sharing Network World Map.     

Woodrum describes herself as an avid reader and said she has always had a passion for inspiring others to read.     

She had thought about setting up a Little Free Library many times in the past but had never really pursued installing one.   

When Tammy and her husband, Lyle, purchased the Davie School Inn in 2017, she said “it seemed like the perfect time to become a steward.”

“After all, the Davie School Inn was one of Anna’s first schools, built in 1910 and operational until the 1997-1998 school year,” she noted.

For Tammy’s birthday in April, Lyle purchased a pre-cut kit from the Little Free Library organization.

 Tammy and her sister-in-law, Sharon, from Kansas, spent the Easter weekend hammering, drilling and nailing until the library box was completed.     

The library is installed in the front yard of the Davie School Inn.

The first round of books for the new library was donated by the Friends of the Stinson Library.      

Alice Kerns serves as secretary of the Friends’ Board. She was on hand, along with Tammy and Lyle, when the first books were placed in the library box.    

“Stop by and check it out at 300 Freeman Street,” Tammy Woodrum said.

“Take a book, exchange a book or donate a book when you are on your way to the pool, the park, walking or driving by the inn.”