Eagle Scout Candidate Conner Seeley and Ruleville’s New Little Free Library

By Robyn Marlow

You might have noticed a new addition around North Sunflower Medical Center.  This past summer, Conner Seeley built a Little Free Library right in front of the Sunflower Rural Health Clinic on N. Oak Avenue.

Little Free Libraries are part of a national movement that began in 2009. Most are small boxes in which anyone can take or place a book to share. The Little Free Library Association says there are over 90,000 free book exchanges like Conner’s in 91 countries.

The Little Free Library [LFL] in Ruleville is part of a network of four that Conner built and stocked as part of his Eagle Scout Project this year. Two are in Cleveland, and one in Boyle in addition to the LFL outside NSMC.

Becoming an Eagle Scout

Only four out of 100 Boy Scouts make it to Eagle Scout. As soon as he finishes all the paperwork that goes with becoming an Eagle Scout, Conner will be in elite company with President Gerald Ford, Astronaut Neil Armstrong, Director Stephen Spielberg, and doctor William DeVries – the surgeon who transplanted the first artificial heart.

Conner said, at first the hardest part was building the boxes.  Making sure everything is completely waterproof protects the books from the elements. It also makes sure each LFL will last for years of inclement weather.  But keeping each location stocked with good books makes this project an ongoing endeavor.

Keep the Little Free Library Going

The Cleveland Public Library has stepped in to donate enough books to keep the Bolivar County locations stocked with books.  Conner and his family are taking donations from families all over the Delta to keep the Ruleville location replete with a plethora of fine literature.

Conner’s love of reading makes this a perfect Eagle Scout project.  His mom, NSMC’s own Kristi Seeley, said he used to get in trouble for staying up late reading. She said, “I guess there are worse things to get in trouble for.” Conner’s favorite Mississippi author is John Grisham.

Conner and his family have restocked the Ruleville LFL seven times since it was built this summer.  Conner said, “It’s nice to see it empty because it means people are using it”.  The bad news is not enough people are replacing the books they take with a book of their own.  If you are interested in helping keep the Conner Seeley Ruleville Little Free Public Library going, you can donate books – ESPECIALLY CHILDREN’S BOOKS. Contact Kristi Seeley here at NSMC to donate.

Or, just go by the Little Free Library outside the Sunflower Rural Health Clinic and leave a book when you take a book.