Loreley Godfrey's Little Free Libraries to make her one of first female Eagle Scouts

PORTSMOUTH — Reading is very important to 17-year-old Loreley Godfrey, so when she was thinking of a community service project to earn Eagle Scout status, she decided to build Little Free Libraries.

Godfrey built 11 of them. Working with the staff of Portsmouth Public Library, seven have already been installed at Osprey Landing, Gosling Meadows, the Senior Activity Center, Community Campus, Greenleaf Recreation Center, The Pines and Arbor View apartments, and Portsmouth Music & Arts Center.

"I moved to Portsmouth when I was 12," Godfrey said. "My father is in the military and we moved around. I have always loved reading and writing, so when I was thinking of an Eagle Scout project, I wanted it to involve reading. I approached the library staff and they loved the idea, particularly with the pandemic. It's a good, no-contact way to do public outreach."

People can visit the Little Free Library locations and choose a book to read, for free. They are also encouraged to return the books for others to read, and to donate books for others to enjoy.

Not just for boys anymore

Girls can now join scout troops that had previously been restricted to boys and known as Boy Scouts, as of February 2019. It's now called Scouts BSA. The rest of her troop came out in support of her Sunday at the opening of the Gosling Meadows free library in the Portsmouth Housing Authority neighborhood.

Godfrey started Portsmouth's first Scouts BSA troop of girls in 2019 with her sister, Natalie Godfrey, and friend Maddie Tauber. She served as Troop 164G's first female senior patrol leader and currently occupies the role of troop guide. Scouts BSA Troop 164G has volunteered at Whidden Cemetery, Bedrock Gardens and Gather food pantry while growing membership. Godfrey completed the installation of the Little Free Library locations in coordination with her Eagle Scout project on her way to earning the Eagle Scout rank.

Wendy Tauber, the troop's scoutmaster, said Godfrey will not be the first girl in the state to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, but she will be the first in the Seacoast.

"I admire Loreley," Tauber said. "She brought the entire troop in with her in all her ventures, including this. When she went for a rank, she said, 'Let's do this together.' They are a very tight group."

'A great example of community collaboration'

On Sunday at Gosling Meadows, Godfrey and her troop were joined by library director Steve Butzel, City Manager Karen Conard, and state Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka, D-Portsmouth.

"I was so happy to work with Loreley on this project," said Laura Horwood-Benton, public programming and community relations librarian at the Portsmouth Public Library. "She was already a part of our teen advisory board, and Loreley jumped on this idea and ran with it."

"I think this is a great example of community collaboration," Perkins Kwoka said. "These little libraries can help make sure all of Portsmouth has access to these services."

Godfrey, who doesn't like to be idle, is also a member of the New Hampshire Legislative Youth Advisory Council.

"We bring the voices of teens into the legislative process," Godfrey said. "We work on policy, hear and give testimony We bring our own perspectives to the legislature."

Sydney Fillmore, 10, a resident of Gosling Meadows, was the first patron of the Little Free Library in his neighborhood. He also brought a book to donate.

"I love to read," Sydney said. "I have two bags full of books at home."

How a Little Free Library works

In March 2020, libraries all over the country were forced to close their doors. Their librarians, devoted to serving the public, pivoted to curbside pickup, online events, digital services, and activities and entertainment on social media.

Horwood-Benton said magic happened when the library teamed up with Godfrey.

"Godfrey was searching for a challenging and rewarding Eagle Scout project that would bring joy to the community, and found it in the library’s Little Free Libraries program," she said.

A Little Free Library is more like a book swap. No library card is necessary, and nothing needs to be returned. Residents can simply visit the box and take a book or leave a book.

“We wanted to build our Little Free Libraries in strategic locations that broaden our impact," Horwood-Benton said. "And we wanted them to be stewarded by library staff, providing high-quality materials for all ages on a regular basis."

In addition, library staff also steward two indoor book swaps, at Gather and the Cross Roads House homeless shelter.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth teen to be one of first female Eagle Scouts