How does the idea of a library in your yard sound? Unusual right? That's exactly what one local woman wants to do to honor the legacy of the late Bakersfield philanthropist Wendy Wayne.
The project is called "Wendy's Words Libraries." Anyone can put a little library on their lawn, and the group will fill it with books, free for anyone to take as long as they leave a book behind.
"A passerby can open the library, browse the books, and take one," said Susan Reep, founder of Wendy's Words Libraries.
This is a little free library, a countrywide phenomenon of lawn libraries. The idea is to take a book and return a book. It is small, about a mailbox size.
"It might hold 18 or 20 books," said Reep.
Bakersfield resident Susan Reep is taking her own spin on the idea, calling it Wendy's Words Libraries because these books have a little extra something in them.
"Inside these books we are putting a little frontace piece which has Wendy's words or Wendy's words to live by," said Reep.
Those words include phrases like "Never meet a stranger," "Extend a helping hand to those you meet" or "Set goals - daily, weekly, monthly, yearly and lifetime."
Wendy Wayne, known as the Mother Teresa of Bakersfield, was a dedicated philanthropist and a dear friend of Reep's. Wayne passed away this summer, but Reep is determined to continue her legacy with these pages.
"I thought that's what I am going to do. I am not just going to leave a book somewhere. I thought I am going to leave a library somewhere," said Reep.
Or many libraries everywhere, which is Reep's plan because she believes this is something Wendy would have done.
"I think everybody that knew Wendy wants to create or leave something that Wendy would like because Wendy wanted to make the world a better place," said Reep.
The project needs book donations and volunteers to get it started.
You can donate books during regular business hours at the KGET-TV studios at 2120 L Street or on Friday night at the Foundry for the First Friday celebration.
If you would like to get involved email susan@wendyswords.org.
