Poetry lovers, rejoice! There’s a new hub for poetry readers and writers on the island, thanks to the efforts of several local nonprofits, including BARN.

A new Little Free Poetry Library was recently installed in the Bainbridge Town Square in front of Bainbridge Performing Arts (BPA). Bainbridge islanders (or visitors) can borrow or share a book of poetry, and also write a poem to slip into the slot as there’s space for posting contributed poems.

The new library is a joint project of the Bainbridge Island Poet Laureate Project, the Bainbridge Community Foundation, BPA, and BARN.

“I’m thrilled for the Little Poetry Library to be my final signature project as the inaugural Poet Laureate of Bainbridge,” said Michele Bombardier. “The motto for the Poet Laureate program is ‘Poetry Builds Community’ and this project supports exactly that.”

The idea for the new library came from Bombardier and Kathleen Thorne of BPA. They approached BARN about building it, and several BARN volunteers stepped forward to help. The design, which echoes the architectural style of BPA, was created by Linda Sohlberg, an architect and longtime BARN member. Her design is not just a receptacle for books; it’s an interactive hub for poets and readers alike.

David Grant built the library with help from Jeanne Huber, and installed it once it was ready. It was a complex project that took several weeks to complete. The siding was specially designed by Huber to match the BPA siding at scale. The metal roof was created by Linda Sohlberg. Grant cut, assembled, and painted the library. Tech Lab volunteers created laser-etched signage and plexiglass doors.

The library debuted in early July. “Already, poetry books are flying off the shelves, especially during the Saturday Farmers’ Markets,” Thorne said. “On August 1 we offered our first Poetry Pop-up with poets on site next to the Little Library who, using old-fashioned manual typewriters, provided poems-on-demand to marketgoers.”