ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today unveiled Howard County Government’s new mobile Little Free Library “take a book, share a book” concept in honor of National Family Literacy Month, with the official unveiling of the #HoCoTARDIS.
Earlier this fall, a mysterious relic resembling a British police box, appeared along Main Street in Old Ellicott City’s Tiber Park. Inspired by the time travelling spaceship the TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimensions in Space) in the Doctor Who science fiction television series, the #HoCoTARDIS will house and transport Howard County’s new mobile Little Free Library all over the county. Photo from the event can be found on Howard County Government’s Flickr website.
November is National Family Literacy month, which is an important time to celebrate the joy of reading together. It reminds us that literacy builds vocabulary and connections. It builds connections between families, neighbors, and, sometimes, even galaxies. Across the world, more than 70 million books have been shared through more than 200,000 Little Free Libraries. They are portals of imagination. They are a way for ideas to travel through time, carried not by starships, but by stories. Now, we have one shaped like the TARDIS, the most famous book-delivery system in all of time and space.
To celebrate the new County’s Little Free Library and in honor of Doctor Who Day, this Sunday, November 23rd, Ball encourages Whovians and community members from across the county and state to stop by the #HoCoTARDIS in Old Ellicott City to drop off a book from their favorite science fiction series to help stock the library.
“From Doctor Who and Dune, to Star Wars to Star Trek, reading ignites our curiosity and capacity to dream,” added Ball.
“A Little Free Library is built on a simple idea, 'take a book, leave a book.' But in that exchange, something pretty cool can happen – a child can discover a favorite story, a neighbor shares a book that once inspired them, someone walking by maybe pauses for a moment of quiet curiosity,” said Julia Sanger, President, Ellicott City Partnership. “To all of the County officials and staff who helped make this happen, thank you. This is yet another example of what can happen when government and community work together to bring a space to its full potential.”
“With the support of Dr. Ball and the Ellicott City Partnership, I created a brand new farmers market that bloomed into a vibrant gathering place full of joy and local pride. This market’s success belongs to our community, our farmers and food makers and the surrounding businesses on Main Street,” said Kristin Vergis, Director, Old Ellicott City Farmers Market. “There is always something new and exciting driving tourism and pulling people into OEC. So, the TARDIS is a fantastic, unique and welcomed attraction for readers and Dr. Who lovers of all ages and backgrounds!”
Books are powerful. They show us who we are and who we could be. They build new worlds and teach us about our own. I am thrilled to have a Little Free Library in the heart of town, especially one as unique as this one. By providing access to free books, in a town that already champions art, the County is building community through literacy.
Little Free Library
The mission of the Little Free Library is be a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Library book-exchange boxes. Across the world, there are more than 150,000 registered Little Free Libraries in 70 countries and it is estimated that 70 million books are shared annually through these book-sharing boxes.
In Howard County alone, there are nearly 50 Little Free Libraries. These locations include:
- Clarksville
- 6542 Ballymore Lane
- 12330 Clarksville Pike
- Columbia
- 5430 Vantage Point Road
- 6700 Freetown Road
- 10320 Quarterstaff Road
- 6175 Sunny Spring
- 10962 Hilltop Lane
- 10710 Charter Drive
- Playground near the Wilde Lake Village Green, between 10400 Cross Fox Lane and the Family Life Center
- 5450 Blue Heron Drive
- Midsummer Lane
- 10563 Rivulet Row
- 5399 Mad River Lane
- 5081 Cedar Lane
- 10899 Beech Creek Drive
- 5430 Vantage Point Road
- 5851 Robert Oliver Place
- 8995 Lambskin Lane
- 5355 Phelps Luck Drive
- 5459 Watercress Place
- 8909 McGaw Court
- 6700 Cradlerock Way
- 6315 Hillside Court, Suite D
- 9989 Cape Ann Drive
- 5370 Old Stone Court
- Dayton
- 24701 Betula Way
- Elkridge
- 6145 Montgomery Road
- 7878 Mayfield Avenue
- 6424 Sedgwick Street
- Ellicott City
- 5409 Autumn Field Court
- Brightwood Court
- 3560 Church Road
- 3020 Southview Road
- 13400 Triadelphia Road
- 11575 Frederick Road
- 3073 Katherine Place
- Cross Bow Court
- 3639 Grosvenor Drive
- 9722 Gwynn Park Drive
- 4005 Wildwood Way
- 4045 Crescent Road
- 4054 High Point Road
- 9014 Sybert Drive
- 3560 Church Road
- 3105 Edgewood Road
- 8506 Pine Run Court
- 4910 Alice Avenue