Libraries brought to life at Frankel Cardiovascular Center

During the first annual Frankel Cardiovascular Center (FCVC) Clinical Value Innovation Challenge in 2016, an idea was anonymously submitted by a patient to install “Little Free Libraries” in major waiting areas throughout the FCVC.

Mark Carpenter helps create a cabinet for the Tiny Little Libraries.

The FCVC directors supported and funded the project through the “Just Do It Award,” which is intended to support the implementation of low cost, low complexity innovation ideas.

A Little Free Library is a “take a book, return a book” free book exchange. Anyone may take a book or bring a book to share. If you take a book (or two) from a Little Free Library, you are encouraged to bring a few books to share the next time you visit.

Bringing the libraries to life

The idea was brought to life by a variety of people to honor the patient’s request:

• The FCVC Patient Family Staff Advisory Council endorsed the Little Free Libraries and agreed to help champion the idea in coordination with the Mardigian Wellness Resource Center staff.

• The Mardigian Wellness Resource Center staff facilitated the creation of the Little Free Libraries with Rich Wilding, construction services senior supervisor and professional carpenter and Mark Carpenter, from the cabinet shop at the U-M Department of Architecture, Engineering and Construction.

Danielle Waidley, right, and Kelly Millar helped garner donations for the libraries.

• Danielle Waidley and Kelly Millar, recent graduates from Dexter High School’s International Baccalaureate Program, orchestrated a book drive for a project they needed to complete as a graduation requirement. The book drive resulted in 14 boxes of donated books to be used to fill the libraries. They also did a bake sale at their school to help fund an official charter sign and charter number. The charter number identifies the libraries as an official member of the Little Free Library Sharing Network.

Library locations

The Little Free Libraries are located on level 2A, level 3 and level 4 of the FCVC for those who would like to borrow or donate a book!