Locally Designed Little Free Library Installed at West St. Paul Art Park

Thanks to Jameson’s Irish Bar for their support.

A community-led effort in partnership with the City of West St. Paul installed a custom-designed Little Free Library in the Art Park at Oakdale and Butler today to house books and art supplies.

Local artist Travis Olson designed and built the custom Little Free Library, creating a unique addition to West St. Paul’s Little Free Library scene. The natural wood finish shines in the sun, with a plexiglass back and doors creating an incredibly bright space for books and supplies.

The library features two separate spaces, one for books and one for art supplies. The goal is to keep the library stocked with supplies for use in the park, such as sidewalk chalk and even snow molds for the winter.

Watch for books from local writers, with several West St. Paul artists agreeing to donate copies:

• Embracing the Ghosts by Michael Orange
• Brood by Jackie Polzin
• Katy Has Two Grampas by Julie Schanke Lyford
• Better Politics Please by Kevin D. Hendricks

Local residents raised $650 through a GoFundMe campaign to fund construction and stock the library.

Last month the Art Park hosted a mini concert and donut day. Last year the city installed a signature sculpture in the park, a culmination of years worth of dreaming and kicking off a new effort to bring art to the Art Park. Follow WSP Art on Facebook to learn about more artistic efforts in West St. Paul.

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