A Bloomington man is calling for community support after the destruction of at least two Little Free Libraries and vandalism of a memorial bench along Constitution Trail over the Fourth of July Weekend.
Brandt Bollman is the brother of the woman to whom the bench is dedicated. His sister was Christina Fitzpatrick. She died in 2015 after suffering a pulmonary embolism. The bench was created three years later.
The bench is property of the Town of Normal, and has since been restored. It’s a different situation for the libraries that were destroyed by fire.
Bollman said the acts against the still-destroyed Little Free Libraries were tough to swallow, but he has received waves of support from the community.
“We received numerous messages from complete, random strangers throughout the community who had enjoyed it and had been using it,” said Bollman. “To see somebody that would cause this damage is pretty heartbreaking to say the least.”
It’s not the first time libraries like these have faced destruction. Libraries in Atwood Park, at Green Top Grocery and on Shelbourne Drive also have been vandalized — the one on Shelbourne was destroyed two different times last year.
Following the most recent destruction of the Little Free Libraries, Bollman took to Facebook. Plenty of people took notice.
“It kind of escalated. A lot of folks shared it,” said Bollman.
People, many of which Bollman didn’t know, shared similar stories. They also offered financial and woodworking support to help replace the libraries and even construct new ones.
Bollman said the first goal is to find out who the vandals are, but right after that is to begin recovery. And he has a big team behind him.
“We’ve had such an outpouring from the community as far as donations and members of woodworking communities that, you know, either helped rebuild these or replace these, stock these,” said Bollman. “And so I guess the ultimate goal is to rebuild all of these.”
He said nearly $4,000 has been pledged by people wanting to help rebuild the libraries. There is not a formal donation structure yet, but Bollman said a GoFundMe is in the works and will be completed by the end of the week. For now, Bollman asked potential donors to email him at brandtbollman@yahoo.com.
With random community members offering money and books to restore the libraries and create new ones, Bollman said he wants to give back to them by creating new libraries of his own.
Bollman said with the hardships that have transpired throughout the coronavirus pandemic, these libraries are a shining light in a sometimes dark world.
“Seeing something that people can enjoy, and give and take, I feel like that just brings a sense of good,” said Bollman. “We’ve been struggling with COVID, people staying at home and kind of sheltering and now we’re out and going. And we’re starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I feel that people need this.”
Bollman encourages contacting him at his email or phone number to discuss donations of money and books, or to provide additional help like better lighting and security for the libraries.
The family is offering a $2,500 cash reward for information leading to an arrest.
