The Perils of Whimsy: Bookshelf Reveals Community Dysfunction

A small town in Kansas exposed itself to ridicule not so long ago with their crack-down on a Little Free Library. Their problem goes a good bit deeper than clunky enforcement.

1 minute read

July 14, 2014, 2:00 PM PDT

By Hazel Borys


"Little Free Libraries — resident-initiated community bookshelves — are an increasingly popular tactic for bringing neighbors together through their shared love of browsing and reading books. Unless you live in Leawood, Kansas, that is, where the front-yard kiosk of 9 year old resident Spencer Collins was the subject of a citation for being what the city considered an illegal accessory structure."

"It wasn’t overzealous code enforcement — cruising neighborhoods itching for petty infractions — but, rather, two resident complaints that prompted the city to act. Suddenly it’s less a story about overreaching government and more one of responsive government. Less an instance where the problem is them. More an instance where the problem is us."

Scott Doyon goes on to talk about brokenness as it relates to people and the relationships that define us.

Monday, July 14, 2014 in PlaceShakers

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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