A Little Library Goes a Long Way

What’s better than reading a book at the beach? Finding and sharing them in the most unexpected places, like a small library box filled with the favorite reads of people passing through, looking for that next good story to dive into. 

This is what Victoria Sellers had in mind when she approached the Walton County Tourism Department about establishing her first book exchange at the Visitor Information Center. 

“I love literacy, and there are so many benefits to these tiny libraries … they’re great for all ages!” Sellers said.

The concept is easy and free: Take a book and/or leave a book. Sellers said all books are welcome — though they must fit in the 15-by-13-inch space — and she especially encourages sharing children’s and family books.

Sellers, who is passionate about her Santa Rosa Beach community, moved to the area from nearby Niceville two years ago with her three children.

“I love it here. It’s beautiful,” she said. “I love the beach and the people.”  

Passion spurred motivation soon after when, last summer, a chance conversation with an elderly man inspired her to create the tiny libraries. As she chatted with the man about newspapers and magazines, he confessed to Sellers that he couldn’t read. She was both surprised and saddened.

“It put a mission on my heart to put some of these little free libraries out there,” she said.

Sellers and her 9-year-old daughter, Olivia, got to work creating the small book exchange, aiming to share the joy and accessibility of reading. She bought some sheets of plywood, searched online for plans and began construction of her first tiny library box. She needed help with the tiny roofs, which Bel-Mac Roofing was happy to provide. The first books were supplied from her home collection and donations from Butler Elementary School and Habitat for Humanity ReStore. The next decision was a location — and the Visitor Information Center at the corner of U.S. Highways 331 and 98 was a top choice.

Troy Kimbrell, Victoria Sellers, Walton County Tourism Department Director Matt Algarin, Christy Gibson and Norma Jean Umble posing with the new tiny library at the Visitor Center.

“My daughter loves going to the tourism center,” said Sellers. 

“Immediately we thought it would be a fantastic location for a tiny library, where visitors and residents come in and out,” said Christy Gibson, Visitor Information manager. “What a great opportunity for someone traveling by plane or car who wants to grab a book for the journey.”

In March, Sellers added a second tiny library by the bicycle rack at AJ’s Grayton Beach. Just recently, a third tiny library opened at the Santa Clara Regional Beach Access in Seagrove, with two more beach access locations planned, supported by Walton County Tourism Beach Operations.

Sellers checks her libraries twice a week and estimates around 1,000 books have been distributed so far. She is thankful for support from Habitat for Humanity ReStore and Caring and Sharing of Walton County in refilling her libraries. 

Sellers’ goal is to have tiny libraries all along the South Walton scenic corridor that she and her family love. The book-sharing movement is not new, and there are other small, free public libraries located around South Walton. 

Interior of the new tiny library at the Walton County Tourism Department Visitor Center.

As she loves the yellow, sugar-covered bunny confections popularized at Easter, Sellers decided Peeps to be a fun way to promote the library locations. She drop cards listing the “30A Peep Show” at various 30A hot spots and challenges cardholders to find the “Peep family traveling 30A,” along with their favorite books.

The card features a little yellow bunny sporting a glittery gold bikini — “because we’re at the beach,” Sellers emphasized. Inside each tiny library is a yellow bunny cut-out.

Many of Sellers’ tiny library books feature a stamp inside each front cover with a bumblebee and 30A graphic.

“People come from all over the world to vacation here,” she noted. “A book stamped with 30A will remind them of the interesting times they had.” 

WALTON COUNTY TOURISM DEPARTMENT

Check out the tiny libraries on social media by searching #TinyLibrary, #30ATinyLibrary and #30APeepShow. If you’d like to help these small libraries grow, email Sellers at victoriasellers7@yahoo.com.