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Little Free Library staff and consultants.

    Who Are These People?

Well...they are builders, artists, stewards, book donors, borrowers, neighbors and friends in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and maybe your state very soon. They are the hardworking "us," and you're definitely part of the picture. 

        Start at the Beginning 
The originators of this social enterprise are Todd Bol and Rick Brooks, both of whom have several decades of entrepreneurial and international experience.  They first met in 2009 while exploring the benefits of green practices in small businesses, discovering that they shared a commitment to service and the quality of community life around the world.

Maestro de Manufacture

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Mr. Bol.
A pioneer in  international trade, business and nursing education, Todd Bol applied his carpentry and business skills to build the first Libraries, find manufacturing help, supplies and recycled materials. Ideator.  Possibility thinker.  Want to know about building and maintaining a Little Library?  He's your man.  715-338-2223
tbol@littlefreelibrary.org

Let's Celebrate, He Says.

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Mr. Rick
Having helped raise funds for village libraries in Sri Lanka and Mexico, Rick Brooks has been a long time supporter of literacy, social empowerment, youth and community development. Rick facilitates contacts with media, academic and nonprofit colleagues as well as potential sponsors.  He recently retired as an Outreach Program Manager in Continuing Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison. 608-345-0750 rbrooks@littlefreelibrary.org

  Organizational Development 

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Melissa Eystad's role with Little Free Library is to help build a sustainable  infrastructure and resource base to help realize the mission of promoting literacy and community connections. Melissa is also president and founder of World Spirit Consulting which provides training, consultation and technical assistance in philanthropy, volunteer development and management of non-governmental organizations worldwide. She is the author of numerous articles and publications on volunteer administration, and has planned and delivered dozens of conferences and seminars.
            Our Non-Profit
      Tax Exempt Mission
Little Free Library, Ltd. began in 2009 as a program of the non-profit, tax-exempt organization Wisconsin Partners for SustainAbility, which has incubated several nonprofits projects and organizations.  Incorporated in Wisconsin, Little Free Library has a board of directors and a clearly defined non-profit mission.  
    Your Name
    Goes Here   
Little Free Library is looking for help--partners, underwriters, sponsors, friends and volunteers. Your business or organization can play a key role in this social enterprise. Contact us for details. 
   Stewards are what make Little
        Free Libraries special
         Find out why...and how.  
 

       An Eye for Design

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Moonlight Designs Studio is a multimedia design firm led by Brit Springer.  She created the Little Free Library logo, brochure, branding materials and collateral media, and is now designing the entire new and much more attractive website, to debut in March (thank goodness!) but not the website you're looking at.  Rick did it.  Want to see more of her work?  Click here.
Our Arts and Artist Coordinator
Elizabeth Kennedy provides both a steady hand and a talented mind with a keen visual sense.  She paints many of our custom Libraries, helps you find the style of art you want for custom work, and coordinates things so everyone can be happy with the results.   ejkennedy@littlefreelibrary.org
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These dogs want you to volunteer with us. Contact Melissa Eystad meystad@littlefreelibrary.org
alongside masons and architects as a surveyor and project manager for production of replacement pieces on some of the most historically important buildings in the Chicago area.

Our Advisors

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Megan
Megan Blake-Horst of Absolutely Art, a locally owned, community-oriented and ( it's true!) really cool place in Madison, WI to see art you want to have in your home or office. Megan is an avid promoter of local independent businesses and art, recycling, neighborhoods and goodwill.
Marshall Cook, author of more than 40 books, writing professor and (he claims) bullpen coach, is steward of our first Little Library focusing on baseball and writing.  He also courageously created the first episode of the Bookus Binder saga.  Now officially retired from the University, Marshall is an instructor with the Odyssey Project at the UW-Madison.
Janet Hively was named a National Purpose Prize Fellow by Civic Ventures in 2006 for her work as a social entrepreneur.  In 2001 she founded the Vital Aging Network   to promote self-determination, community participation, and personal enrichment for and with older adults.  In 2004, she co-founded the Minnesota Creative Arts and Aging Network In 2006, Jan co-founded “SHiFT” -- a network empowering midlife transitions to find meaning and purpose in life and work  
Nick Glass of Teaching Books Integrates multimedia resources into reading and library activities, provides resources for teachers, authors and publishers.
Kathleen Horning is director of the Cooperative Children's Book Center at the UW-Madison, an internationally known resource for librarians, teachers, parents and readers.
20 Pictures, 20 Seconds Each
How a Small Box of Books Becomes a Big Idea 
Watch this bit of history