Along with a community garden, a multi-use trail, and a stream, walkers and cyclists using the University of Richmond’s Eco-Corridor will also find a spot to donate or take free books.

University staff member Liza Carpenter’s son, Evan, built the Little Free Library as an Eagle Scout project. He worked with the Office of Sustainability, Facilities, and the Eco-Corridor planning committee to choose the library’s location in front of the Community Garden along the trail, Carpenter said.

“Evan designed his library project to support the themes of the UR Eco-Corridor, which include nature, community, reflection, education, and well-being,” she said. “The library was constructed with the same sustainable and recycled composite materials utilized in the Community Garden and throughout the Eco-Corridor.”

Director of Sustainability Rob Andrejewski said one of the most important aspects of the Eco-Corridor is the connection to community.

“The corridor not only provides easy access to campus and the river but is also a great place to meet people,” he said. “The Little Free Library highlights the idea of community. Whether you take a book, share a book, or just see what’s available, you can connect with other folks who live and play here.”

The Little Free Library movement is a free book exchange that launched in 2009 and has since grown into a global nonprofit. Now there are more than 100,000 registered book-sharing locations in 108 countries worldwide.