The mystery of missing book trees from Southbridge solved

Two "book trees" that were created to promote reading in the Southbridge section of Wilmington were reported missing after lasting a little over a month. 

Books were kept in a shelved wooden house with a door on a post in the Barbara Hicks Park. The two small libraries were stocked with books and other reading materials by the Caesar Rodney Rotary Club.

The book boxes were "stolen" as of Thursday, but the Rotary Club promised to replace the outdoor bookshelves. Mayor Mike Purzycki announced Friday he was upset that someone could have taken away a chance for children to learn. “Children in Southbridge had begun to embrace the idea of having books available to them in their own neighborhood, so it’s upsetting to think that someone interfered with that,” he said. 

Facebook users and other social media commenters were disappointed as well that someone could steal the mini libraries from the neighborhood. 

The Department of Parks and Recreation emailed those involved Saturday that the book trees were taken by maintenance staff after the posts were damaged.  

The director, Kevin Kelley, apologized that he did not inform involved parties of the removal. 

It is not clear how the posts were damaged. 

Matthew McManamy said the book trees were started after members met to discuss their next project. 

"We were told we should plant a tree for every member of the club, but we were like that is great, but it doesn't help the community," he said. "One member had a book tree in his neighborhood, and we all thought that was a great idea." 

The Rotary Club and Department of Parks and Recreation landed on Southbridge. They built the book trees at two heights for children of different ages and made them handicap-accessible. 

Local leaders told McManamy they have seen kids take a book out of the post, sit down and read. 

"Seeing the kids reading was a rewarding experience because I wasn't expecting such a reach," McManamy said. 

Marie Reed, the president of Southbridge Civic Association, said this has given the community an opportunity to get more involved to educate the young people.  

"It's a wonderful feeling to witness the children picking up the various books that have been donated," Reed said. 

Since the news broke of the missing posts, locals have swarmed McManamy with help. Many have contacted him to donate books and money for the cause, and one resident offered to help build two new book trees. 

McManamy hopes this is the spark to help encourage literacy in the community. The next step is to create reading days, where volunteers will read to children who can't yet read. The program is part of the club's foundation to help at-risk youth in the community.

"This is turning into something special and taking on a life of its own."

Contact Josephine Peterson at (302) 324-2856 or jhpeterson@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @jopeterson93.

Learn more

For more information on how to get involved, contact Matthew McMenamy at (302) 656-7773, ext. 20, or email matthew.c.mcmenamy@ampf.com.