The intrepid cities of Los Angeles and Shreveport, La. are hard at work rooting out the diabolical citizens who have set up free libraries outside their homes for neighbors to swap books. The libraries violate zoning laws, and owners have been asked to cease and desist their altruism, or be fined.
“I put in a redwood post and went to a local liquor store and got some wine crates and screwed them into the post, and I wanted them low enough so kids could look at the books,” explained library operator Peter Cook, L.A. resident and all-around monster. “I have seen local teenagers gather there on their way home from school and take books. I have seen nannies and housekeepers of neighbors take books on their way to and from work.”
Cook’s deeds were met with vitriol from an anonymous neighbor, who left a note on his library: “Take it down or the city will.” The cheery missive was signed “a neighbor who hates you and your kids.”
The L.A. Times noted that, giving some surrounding circumstances, Cook’s library hardly seems like a matter of pressing concern for the community:
Cook might be able to keep up his library in the end—if he applies for a permit.
Meanwhile, in Shreveport, “Little Free Library” owners Ricky and Teresa Edgerton have been threatened with a $500 fine if they fail to shut down their operations. Other closures might not be far behind.
Another Shreveport citizen has since defiantly erected her own library, and announced, “I did it in solidarity with Ricky. I’m basically telling the [Metropolitan Planning Commission] to go sod off.”
First you let them read books, next thing you know—anarchy!!!
