Athens Academy Student Constructs Oconee County's First Little Free Library for Eagle Scout Project

Visitors to Oconee Veterans Park will notice a new addition near the Community Center.

It's the spot where Athens Academy eleventh grader Nathan Iyer has constructed the first Little Free Library to grace Oconee County.

"I actually got the idea from my grandma," the 16 year old said following a ribbon cutting Tuesday as the final product of his Eagle Scout project was revealed.

"I was looking all around Oconee for places that would be visible," Nathan explained, "and I thought this place comes really packed, especially on soccer days, and it has a bunch of traffic. The whole point is to get people to the books and the more people, the better."

He spent all summer planning and building, and fellow scouts from Troop 149 of Friendship Presbyterian Church braved a rainy Saturday to install the two structures.

One box houses books for adults; the other contains stories for children. Nathan said he stocked the libraries with books from home.

"I just got books that I've read before and thought other people might like."

Oconee County Library staff also contributed, he said.

According to www.littlefreelibrary.org, the mission of the organization is "to promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges worldwide."

People are encouraged to pick up a book to enjoy, drop one off, or both.

Nathan will give a presentation at the Oconee County Library on Friday, Aug. 30, at 7 p.m. for anyone interested in learning more about how to make a Little Free Library.

Community members are also invited to an open house on Saturday, Aug. 31 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Little Free Libraries at Oconee Veterans Park.