Mini-library boxes can be found at some of the street ends leading to the beaches in Townsends Inlet. (Photo credit Facebook)
By MADDY VITALE
Sea Isle City residents think lounging on the beach with a good book in hand is so important that they have created "mini libraries" at the street ends of some of the beaches.
In fact, the wooden, decorated structures, some that resemble birdhouses or greenhouses, hold treasures in the form of hardback or paperback books that people graciously donate to delight fellow bathers and beach lovers.
Some of the pathways to the beach have book boxes in Townsends Inlet in the south end of town, for instance, where people can take a book to enjoy on the beach or drop one off for someone else’s pleasure.
The “mini libraries” have become so popular that a group called “Townsends Inlet Free Library,” made up of residents who share a love of books, maintain the free book boxes and make sure there are many books to choose from in each box.
Sea Isle homeowner Tim Kelly posted an announcement on social media for a meeting of the people who maintain the book boxes.
“Captains Meeting: Saturday May 1, 9 a.m. rain or shine. We'll meet at the 93rd and Pleasure St. mini library (if rain we'll retreat to my garage),” the announcement says.
Bianca Brasslett, left, hands a hardback to Julie Lamon from the book box at the entrance to the beach at 87th Street last summer.
Kelly noted in his post that there are also mini libraries in Townsends Inlet on 85th, 87th, 89th, and 91st streets.
The meeting, he pointed out, will be to go over the specifics of the book boxes for the 2021 summer season.
Kelly’s post detailed what it means for the residents to share in a civic-minded endeavor to give others the joy of reading by the beach.
"Reminder: our charter is to promote literacy and community spirit in a friendly and informal way," he wrote.
One post by Maureen Ranieri summed up the feelings of members of the community who enjoy the special and unique gift at the street ends of some of the beaches.
“I was just saying to my hubby that I wanted to clean up the one on 91st, didn’t realize people signed up to be captains," Ranieri said of the book box there. "If the captain on 91st street needs help let me know!”
