'Take a Book' shelf pops up at Piti Mayor's Office

It's a new year, and perhaps, it's now time to turn a new page.

Just a few feet away from the front door of the Piti Mayor's Office, a bookshelf with a variety of genres like children's books, fantasy, among others, hangs on the wall. Piti Mayor Jesse Alig told KUAM News how the project came about.

"So the Rotary eClub of Pago Bay Guam came out with a really cool shelf, it's a nice blue shelf it's actually mounted outside the office so that residents come by and take a look at what books we have available, they certainly can borrow a book, and leave a book if they have one to share and it's open to all residents of all villages," he said.  "And of course, I am all about promoting any kind of literacy in the village."

Whether you're from Piti or not, you can still grab a book.
The "Take a book, leave a book" is like a library, but the difference is, you don't have to be quiet, there are no due dates, late fees, and book cards, all you have to do is just read, according to Alig. He shared what island residents can expect.

"So we have all types of genres on the shelf at the moment, we have some CHamoru books, so that's kind of cool and it's all novel types of books for the older readers," Alig said. "So it's a really exciting project and I am so grateful for the Rotary eClub of Pago Bay Guam for bringing the books out to the village and promoting literacy."

There is no library within the village of Piti.

The Rotary eClub of Pago Bay Guam mounted the shelf last Thursday, on December 30. Tonya McDaniel designed the library.
Alig anticipates a great turnout, as he shared that residents are already willing to give their books.

"We look forward to sharing these books with residents and I think it will work as well for the residents to come and share their books with us and so it'll be a nice exchange of ideas, and thoughts for when it comes to reading," he said. "We're so grateful because we've already seen some residents wanting to donate some books for the bookshelf or case. So we're excited about that. Now we just need the kids and the other residents to come by and check it out." 

Meanwhile, Guam Education Board Chair Mark Mendiola, who built the box, shared the same sentiments as Mayor Alig- hoping that residents enhance reading.

"I really love the idea, it just gives an opportunity for our communities to engage and go in there and share knowledge through books," Mendiola said. 

Books can be swapped and don't have to be returned. Donations can be made to the mayor's office.