Book smart: Franklin girl, mentor create Little Free Library at senior living facility

The mounted yellow box painted with purple, orange and green flowers greets every visitor who pulls into Morning Pointe Senior Living in Franklin.

A sign on the front advertises what’s inside: “Acacia’s Free Books.” Inside, people from the surrounding neighborhoods can stop by to pick up a children’s book or help stock the shelves with new selections.

The lending library was a project of Sally Hood, a volunteer mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters, and her Little, 10-year-old Acacia.

“The reward was to get people to take books and start reading more,” Acacia said. “You get a good feeling because people are actually getting things. It’s not just books sitting there and not going anywhere.”

Community service has been at the heart of the mentorship between Hood and Acacia for the past two years. Through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana, they meet throughout the month to find ways to give to other people.

Acacia often offers her time at Morning Pointe, where Hood works. They’ve made birdhouses for residents and handed out Christmas decorations.

“Service has always been a part of me — my parents were missionaries. And I just feel that everybody, no matter your circumstance, can help somebody else,” Hood said. “Even if it’s just bringing a smile to somebody’s face; you don’t have give money or build a house or buy a car. Just bring a smile to somebody’s face.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters is a national organization that pairs children in need with adult role models. They meet for about five hours each month, doing activities such as hiking, playing sports, fishing and going to the movies. Bigs help them with homework, or just hang out and talk with them.

Potential Bigs must be 19 years old or older, be able to meet with a child on average two to four times a month for a minimum of four hours per month and commit to the program for at least a year. Applicants must be willing to complete an interview process, which includes a background check.

Acadia is Hood’s second Little since she signed up for the program in 2012. Her first little, Tabitha Farmer, who she is still close to even though she’s grown out of the program, helped her with community service as well. They collected food for the Humane Society of Johnson County and made Easter baskets for nursing home residents.

Service has been an integral part of her vision as a mentor, Hood said.

Even before she became a Big herself, Hood was impacted by Big Brothers Big Sisters. As a single parent, her children were involved in the program in Henry County, to add another positive adult role model to their lives, Hood said.

“I made it my mission to give back to kids out there who might be in the same situation my kids were in,” she said. “I just feel that, if you have the time and the heart for it, why not?”

Hood and Acacia were matched two years ago, in November 2022. Because service was so important to Hood, she passed that on to her new Little.

Acacia was completely on board.

“My grandfather does things that make me happy a lot and that I like to do with my friends and me. It’s fun, and I wanted to do that for other people,” Acacia said.

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When Acacia comes to Morning Point, she spends time playing games with residents, doing crafts and thinking of ways to brighten their days.

When Hood suggested a Little Free Library at Morning Pointe in mid-summer, the girl was excited.

“I kind of threw the line out, and she grabbed on and pulled me in the water with it,” Hood said.

Their first step was writing a letter to Morning Pointe leadership asking for permission. The administration thought it was a good idea, and Hood and Acacia went to work planning out the physical library box.

“Having this little library is an amazing way to integrate generations. Acacia has always embraced our residents, whether they are independent, have dementia, or a disability. She is truly inclusive and is going places,” said Tristan Pruitt, executive director at Morning Pointe in Franklin. “Our community is tucked back in a quiet neighborhood and is such a homelike environment. Our residents can now sit on the front porch and watch the kids trade out their books, reminding them of their past and being hopeful for our future.”

They found a pre-made box to mount on a post next to the Morning Pointe parking lot. Together, they painted it with flowers and put shelving on the inside. Hood’s husband, Jeff, put in the post and helped them attach the library to it.

To stock the library, they found books at Goodwill for all levels of readers. Employees of Morning Pointe as well as residents’ families have made donations to support it as well.

The Little Free Library was installed in late September, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Hood, Acacia and residents of Morning Pointe taking part.

“It was nice because (the work) paid off. It didn’t take that long, but it took a while,” Acacia said.

On Sept. 26, Acacia and Hood went around the neighborhood surrounding Morning Pointe, passing out a letter explaining what they had done and how people could use it.

“We put in children’s books that are free to take and read you can return after you get another book,” Acacia wrote in her letter. “You can also leave another book if you have extra and want to share.”

Since opening up the Little Free Library, it has been popular among residents. Hood and Acacia have had to refill the box four times since then, heading to Goodwill to stock up again. Residents at Morning Pointe have found the library to be a source of entertainment; they often sit on the front porch to watch for families to come by to borrow a book.

To keep the library filled with books, Hood and Acacia are planning to sell handmade friendship bracelets and host a bake sale.

The experience of creating the library has been mutually beneficial to both of them — which is true to their Big and Little relationship as a whole.

“Pay it forward, that’s what it’s about,” Hood said, adding with a smile, “I plan on sticking with her until she kicks me out of her life.”

How to get involved

Here is a look at some requirements and information about signing up to be a mentor in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program:

Requirements:

Be 19 years old or older

Be able to meet with a child two to four times per month for one year

Have a valid I.D.

Have reliable transportation with valid auto insurance.

Must be willing to complete an interview process, including a background check

For complete volunteer requirements, go to bebigforkids.org/volunteer.