PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire United Way is looking to install "book houses," tiny lending libraries, in 10 city parks and two public housing complexes.

 

United Way Development Manager Jonah Sykes said there are 50 houses being built by SABIC to be installed across the county, a dozen of which are eyed for Pittsfield. The structures will be filled with books collected at book drives for families to access at all hours. 

 

"The goal would be to have these book houses available 24/7," he said. "It's a humongous project."

 

The idea of a "Little Free Library" began in 2009 in Wisconsin with the idea of "take one, leave one." There are some 36,000 Little Free Libraries across the globe that exchange more than 9 million books a year. Saudi Arabia Basic Industries Corp. was involved in a Little Free Library and learning trail project with a United Way in Pennsylvania last year.

 

The Berkshire United Way is assigning "caretakers" to keep and eye on the houses and volunteers have agreed to check in on them on a regular basis to ensure books are not strewn across the park or the houses vandalized.

 

"We want it to be accessible to families," Sykes said.

 

The two housing projects will be Dower Square and Wilson Park. Another 10 will be installed near playgrounds at local parks — some could attached to existing structures like at Clapp Park while others will be concreted into the ground. The parks have been chosen in areas the Berkshire United Way feels more literacy efforts are needed.

 

"Each of these parks will represent a unique installation," Parks and Open Spaces Manager James McGrath said. "Each one of these is going to have a different look." 

 

The plan received support from Mayor Linda Tyer. Executive Assistant Catherine Van Bramer read a statement from the mayor supporting the efforts to improve literacy among the youngest readers.

 

"They each cover an elementary school district and focus in areas with the most need of increasing literacy," Van Bramer said.

 

The Parks Commission was supportive of the project with only some concerns about vandalism and the responsibility to clean up any books that are thrown around to which Sykes responded that the Berkshire United Way will be responsible and if issues are reoccurring, the program could be stopped.

 

"My biggest concern is vandalism," Chairman Simon Muil said. "It's a great idea if it works." 

 

In other business, the Parks Commission also approved a number of events.

 

• On Sunday, June 12, there will be a road race to benefit Pittsfield Police Officer James Losaw's 8-year-old son who has brain cancer. Organizer Lyndsay Cimini said the money raised will "defray medical costs." The race will be in the park and on Lakeway Drive and Valentine Road.

 

• In April, Hillcrest Educational will light up Park Square with blue lights and hold a kick off event to spread autism awareness. Organizer Darcie Hess said the "big launch" will either be on April 1 or that following Monday. This year the program is being expanded to light up storefronts as well.

 

• Live on the Lake will return. For eight weeks WBEC and Greylock Federal Credit Union will host free concerts at Burbank Park. 

 

• On June 20, the Berkshire Alzheimer's Partnership will hold a vigil in honor of caregivers at Park Square. The goal is to expand Alzheimer's awareness and show what caregivers go through.

 

"We're hoping to just get the word out about what people face at different stages," said organizer Patty Janchuk.

 

• The Housatonic Valley Association is looking to hold an Earth Day celebration on April 23 at Fred Garner Park. Organizer Alison Dixon said it will be a "family-friendly" event with activities for families and some food vendors. Volunteers will also clean up the areas around the park and attendees will be offered recycling bins and composting workshops.

 

• The Berkshire Humane Society is looking to hold a fair on the Common with live bands, beer and wine, food vendors and children's activities. Jackie McHugh said the event will be a fundraiser and the beer and wine will be kept separate. 

 

"The focus will be pretty much where the band stand is," she said. 

 

The commission did, however, want more information and approved it on the condition that a more detailed site and management plan is presented.