Tributes have been paid from across West Leeds to Carry Franklin, the founder of the Leeds Little Free Library project, after she passed away recently, writes Jo Fiddes.
The concept – leave a book and pick one up – started with a single library outside Carry’s house. There are now over 40 Little Free Libraries across the city, with several in West Leeds.
A message on the Little Free Library Facebook page said:
“We are heartbroken to tell you that Carry died at 4am, June 4th. She flew off peacefully with the dawn chorus. If you want to mark her wonderful legacy and help her on her way, we invite you to put fairy lights on your libraries on the 7th. Let’s spread the love across this whole city and keep her project alive.”
This was a particularly poignant request for the residents of Airedale Cliff, whose library was installed in October following a successful grant application from the Newlay and Whitecotes Residents Association (NAWRA).
The brightly painted library is hosted and maintained by Richard Slimming and Caroline Clark, who were personal friends of Carry.
Caroline said:
“Lighting up the library is a wonderful way to remember our great friend and twinkling star, Carry. She will be forever with us in our hearts and her legacy lives on through the Little Free Library project.”
Little Libraries in Armley, Farsley, Rodley, Wortley and others also lit up in tribute to Carry.
Check out this map of Little Free Libraries to find the one closest to you.
Read more of WLD’s coverage of Little Free Libraries here.
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