Longtime 'Little Free Library' in West Allis has all books taken multiple times, prompting concerns from owner
WEST ALLIS, Wis. (CBS 58) — Sitting on the northwest corner of 117th and Cleveland in West Allis is a Milwaukee Brewers-themed free library that’s been up for more than a decade.
Nancy Bryce is the woman behind the library, and said when she came up with the idea, she knew she wanted to help create community.
Bryce said over the years, it’s been a joy to see people come by, take a book or two, and maybe even bring some back for someone else.
According to Bryce, there’s never been an issue — up until this summer.
Over the last month, Bryce said someone, or a group, took every single book out of the library.
Not once, not twice, but three times.
Now, she and her daughter, Margie LaFond, are in charge of replenishing the stock — and hoping this stops happening.
"It's a concept people would know at this point, with free libraries being around so many places,” LaFond said. “It's sad that something can't be here in the community to help others.”
Along with the multiple thefts, LaFond said she and her mother noticed pieces of the wood frame from the library’s doors are also damaged and broken, needing further replacement.
But they’re hoping to turn the page on this chapter so that the library’s story doesn’t have to end.
"Take care of your community and hopefully we can have something like this continue and it can go back to how it was,” LaFond said.