Yorktown college student installs Little Free Library at Junior Lake Pool

A lifelong love of reading, a passion for education, and a commitment to community service have come together in a new addition at Junior Lake Park. 

Yorktown resident Kirsten Schmutzer, a University of Alabama student studying elementary education, recently completed and, with assistance from the Town of Yorktown Parks and Recreation Department, installed a Little Free Library near Junior Lake Pool. The library creates a welcoming space where visitors can borrow, share and discover books throughout the summer and beyond.

For Schmutzer, the project is deeply personal. Raised just a short walk from the pool, she spent much of her childhood there and wanted to give back to a place that played a meaningful role in her life. 

“I combined my passion for literacy and my love for the community here,” Schmutzer said. “I thought it would be a great idea to put a little library in.” 

The idea originated with her mother, a retired teacher, who introduced her to the Little Free Library organization. The nonprofit works to expand access to books through a global network of volunteer-led book-sharing boxes. As Schmutzer learned more about the program, she saw an opportunity to combine her interest in children’s literacy with her longstanding commitment to community service. 

A 2024 graduate of Yorktown High School, Schmutzer is entering her junior year of college this fall. She plans to return to Yorktown after graduation to pursue a master’s degree in literacy. She has already spent two years working as a substitute teaching assistant in the Yorktown Central School District and regularly volunteers with literacy programs in Alabama. 

Although a passion project for Schmutzer, the Little Free Library project quickly became a family effort. 

Schmutzer worked alongside her older brother, Brandon Shea, who is also a teacher, as well as her parents, who helped with everything from construction and painting to troubleshooting challenges along the way. 

“There was definitely a learning curve,” Schmutzer said. “We actually built one version, realized it wasn’t going to work, and had to start over. But we learned a lot and ended up with something we’re really proud of.” 

The finished library, officially installed on June 3, features separate sections for children’s and adult books, encouraging readers of all ages to participate. 

Schmutzer hopes the library will inspire families to spend a little more time reading and a little less time on screens. 

“I hope kids get excited about bringing a book home, reading it, and coming back to the pool to choose another one,” she said. “And I hope parents can enjoy a good book by the pool, too — maybe even discover a new genre they haven’t read before.”

The library follows the Little Free Library model: take a book, share a book. While Schmutzer stocked it with an initial collection, she hopes residents will help keep the shelves full by donating books and sharing favorite reads with their neighbors. 

Because she lives nearby, Schmutzer plans to help maintain the library when she is home from school, while family members will assist when she is away at college. 

Looking ahead, she hopes the library becomes a lasting fixture at Junior Lake. 

“A year from now, I hope people stop, browse the books, and think about donating one of their own,” she said. “I hope it becomes something the community enjoys and that it continues.” 

For a student whose future career centers on helping children learn and grow, the project represents more than a small wooden box filled with books. It is an investment in literacy, community connection, and the next generation of readers. 

And for visitors heading to the Junior Lake Pool this summer, a new chapter is already waiting. 

To visit Kirsten’s library or find another Little Free Library near you, download the free Little Free Library app.