Zionsville recently installed a train-themed Little Free Library in the outdoor plaza just off the Big-4 Rail Trail.
Local residents Terry McCain and Mike Howenstein built the library in their home workshop. The library is part of their Reading Railroad collection of Little Free Libraries that they have built and installed in communities around Boone County. The newest library, modeled after a Zionsville Interurban train car Little Free Library, is a nod to Zionsville’s past Interurban Railroad, according to a press release.
Other Little Free Libraries in the Reading Railroad collection consists of a Boilermaker Special train engine at a preschool in Lebanon; two boxcars at The Caring Center in Lebanon; a Polar Express passenger car in Zionsville; a red caboose in Zionsville; and a Kings Cross/Platform 9 and 3/4 train station in Thorntown. More Reading Railroad Little Free Libraries are planned.
Zionsville Mayor Emily Styron placed one of the first books, “Run for Something: A Real-Talk Guide to Fixing the System Yourself” by Amanda Litman, in the Little Free Library
“Building and installing Little Free Libraries is a small way to make a big impact,” Styron stated. “Free, accessible books (are) key to an engaged community and the Town of Zionsville is excited to support this effort at Town Hall.”
Town Hall’s new Zionsville Interurban Little Free Library is the largest McCain and Howenstein have built so far and will be stocked with a variety of books for children and adults. A hand sanitizing station will be placed near the Little Free Library.
“We love designing and building the Reading Railroad themed Little Free Libraries and we hope that the Zionsville Interurban Little Free Library will help foster sharing books in our Zionsville community,” Terry McCain and Mike Howenstein said in a co-statement.
The Zionsville Interurban Library will be on the Little Free Library World Map and is charter number 99174.
