Latest / We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits / 381. The Love of Books + The Power of Community: Meet the Little Free Library - Greig Metzger

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381. The Love of Books + The Power of Community: Meet the Little Free Library - Greig Metzger · We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits

• 0:01
  Jonathan McCoy: You need more than just technology to make a lasting change in this world.
• 0:03
  Jonathan McCoy: And that's why Neon One offers a nonprofit platform that's designed to grow with you providing software and resources that help nonprofit professionals make their connections that matter.
• 0:14
  Jonathan McCoy: connections with their peers, connections with their supporters, and connections with their mission. Learn how Neon One makes it easy to design amazing generosity experiences by visiting neonone.com/weareforgood.
• 0:31
  Jonathan McCoy: Hey, I'm Jon.
• 0:32
  Becky Endicott: And I'm Becky.
• 0:33
  Jonathan McCoy: And this is the We Are For Good podcast.
• 0:36
  Becky Endicott: Nonprofits are faced with more challenges to accomplish their missions and the growing pressure to do more, raise more and be more for the causes that improve our world.
• 0:45
  Jonathan McCoy: We're here to learn with you from some of the best in the industry, bringing the most innovative ideas, inspirational stories, all to create an impact uprising.
• 0:53
  Becky Endicott: So welcome to the good community, where Nonprofit Professionals, philanthropist, world changers and rabid fans who are striving to bring a little more goodness into the world.
• 1:04
  Jonathan McCoy: So let's get started. Becky, what's happening?
• 1:08
  Becky Endicott: The biggest grins on our faces, because I'm going to give you a quick insight into Becky Endicott if you want to get me talking about something that lights me up gets me passionate, there are the there's the trifecta, my kids, philanthropy, and books. And if you can put children's books somewhere nestled in the middle of there, we're going to talk forever, which is why I am so excited today to talk to the little free library, you guys, you know this nonprofit, you have probably seen this incredible organization around your community. But before I introduce our guests, I got to do the seven degrees of Kevin Bacon to how we got to visit with Greig today. But we I have a dear friend from high school, David Owens, Hey, David, who connected our podcast to one of the Little Free Library's National Board of Directors. So I want to thank Deborah Costa LuLaRoe, who pitched me on LinkedIn and said you should talk to our executive director.
• 2:06
  Becky Endicott: We love it when board members are so passionate that they pitch and do public relations for the organization. So it is just a delight to sit down with Greig Metzger. He is the executive director of the little free library, we're going to be talking about building community inspiring readers, expanding book access today, and I'm just so geeked out about it. But if you don't know about the little free library, it's a nonprofit organization that is building this curiosity and book access for all through this global network of volunteer led little free libraries. There are more than 150,000 Sharing boxes worldwide, all 50 states, 115 countries and seven continents.
• 2:49
  Becky Endicott: And they've given away Jon over 250 million books since 2009. So I mean, they've got awards from Library of Congress, the National Book Foundation. And I love the focus of giving books to underserved areas through their impact program, which we're going to talk about today.
• 3:08
  Becky Endicott: And so Greig, we are so delighted you're here and I can tell we are friends for life because you have down in your bio, your favorite book is All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. And that is also in my top five. And I recommend it to everybody listening. So welcome to the We Are For Good podcast.
• 3:27
  Greig Metzger: It's super to be here. Thank you.
• 3:28
  Becky Endicott: Well, we want to get to know you just a little bit before we dive into this incredible organization. Tell us about where you grew up and how you fell into nonprofit or even literacy.
• 3:39
  Greig Metzger: Oh, great question. I actually, I grew up on the East Coast northeast, sort of the New England, New York metro area, and have always been fortunate household and a family of, of readers, I don't consider myself a literacy expert by any stretch of the imagination, other than my love and enjoyment of reading books, which is, for me is always a great opportunity to passion, necessarily. from a career perspective. I don't know I probably like many of you have traveled a little bit of a zigzag route, if you will, you know, way back when I was involved in large direct marketing organizations and financial services, did that for a while, shifted my second phase of career in terms of doing startups, a lot of internet kinds of things, information based database businesses, and then got to a point a several years ago, for phase three, I've been fortunate for enough more wins than losses, I suppose, in that startup world. And actually, it was connected and with a local food shelf here in our community, just east of St.
• 4:52
  Greig Metzger: Paul, and realized that I needed to do Something a little bit different. And I ended up actually working with that food shelf and ultimately becoming the executive director. And so did that for about four or five years, and had the opportunity to, you know, connect, and look for something a little bit different. The opportunity at Little Free Library. And, you know, there are a lot of synergies about, you know, food insecurity and hunger in our communities in our country. And a little bit about book access and themes around community and, and people taking care of one another and sharing your resources. So frankly, it was a great opportunity to, to take what I had learned in the nonprofit space and do it in a little bit larger platform, because obviously, you know, little free library is a is a global organization. And we have, you know, global aspirations, I suppose, in some way, shape or form. So, yeah, I've been a little free library a little over three years now.
• 5:59
  Greig Metzger: And it's been going a mile a minute, and it's been a ton of fun, and really enjoy not only the great team that we have, but it's it's wonderful to connect with people like yourselves that are just passionate about books, and by reading and, and share their experiences and stories.
• 6:13
  Greig Metzger: So here I am.
• 6:16
  Jonathan McCoy: Oh, my goodness, well, I mean, I love that you kind of lifted the values that connected those last two organizations, because we talk a lot about values. And I think that's what drew you and I know, that's what draws you the supporters that just love this.
• 6:26
  Jonathan McCoy: And for our own family, we live in a neighborhood that has three little free libraries within a few blocks. And it is like a tradition to march our kids around to share books that we love, and to find new ones and just kind of see the random stuff that appears, you know, in these boxes, the most I love is of topics at the same time. But I'm just curious, like, how do you start something from one little box, and I love it, it's called The Little Free Library, when you have 150,000 plus locations first, growing a movement like that look like?
• 6:57
  Greig Metzger: Well you know, I cannot take credit for its inspiration and start, as you may know, it started in 2009, by the gentleman by the name of Todd bol Anton, unfortunately, passed away a few years ago. But his inspiration, you know, he'd been working around community engagement and social enterprise concepts and ideas, handy craftsman, you know, good with his hands and making things in woodworking and sort of in a discussion around sharing and whatnot, came up with this idea about a book sharing box in a library and made one and literally made it put it out in his front yard in this is what's in Hudson, Wisconsin. And it sort of started a spark there.
• 7:42
  Greig Metzger: And in witness to a community engagement process. Neighbors came up curious about what what this thing was in his front yard, and asked if they could have others and one their own, and he would make them and that's kind of how it started, got connected with a gentleman down in Madison at the University of Wisconsin, again, around discussion about social enterprise. And so they started and did more in Madison. And I think I'm told sort of the the spark, ultimately, from an awareness perspective was an interview that Todd did on National Public Radio at one point in time. And so it grew, you know, gradually, you know, word of mouth, people would see them when they traveled. And it's like, what's that? And, you know, we find there's each little free library that's registered with organizations got a charter sign, it's official sign and a number, come and visit our website. So so much of the growth, frankly, originally, it was just word of mouth and or sight, right, and unnecessarily saw those kinds of things. And so that was the start the spark, and as you mentioned, it took all my facts in the very beginning, but that's okay.
• 8:51
  Becky Endicott: Sorry.
• 8:54
  Greig Metzger: No, no, but you know, it's grown. And I think what has been interesting is, is evolution as an organization from, and we still do have, you know, individuals that are passionate about literacy passionate about reading, want to be engaged in their communities, in their neighborhoods, and they'll get a little free library, and I'll put one up on their front yard.
• 9:11
  Greig Metzger: But what we've also seen is growth, from an evolution perspective from institutions and organizations. Without a doubt, it sort of seems unfortunate, but, you know, the two and a half years, whatever COVID has been around with us now really drove a significant amount of growth and accelerated things. Partly because people were locked up at home. We had a note an inordinate number of stories about what to do and people walking and finding and discovering little free library box all the time. But it's also had become an indication of communities wanting to share and get connected and it was great physical way to necessarily do that. So that accelerated things and then as I said, institution, so we have library organizations of There are fraternal organizations, other organizations that are using book sharing and literacy and inspiring a reader readership as a tool to perhaps connect and support other other initiatives.
• 10:13
  Greig Metzger: I was at an event just last night, local here with the St.
• 10:17
  Greig Metzger: Paul Police Foundation. And we talked a little bit about how social security and safety departments want to connect with communities and members and community in a positive way, right. And there's no better way than doing something around like books and sharing books. So we see that all the time. And so, you know, that has started from a spark and just, you know, again, accelerated and you know, the word of mouth and the stories, it's just, it's been profound. In terms of where we are today, I think I, you know, I never had the opportunity to meet Todd. And I know, he was an inspirational figure, for sure for the organization. And I think that he, I'm sure, he was always confident that the numbers will continue to grow and grow. But you know, it's been amazing. Without it out to be where we are today.
• 11:05
  Becky Endicott: I mean, what a cool community you all have have created here, and we've got a phrase at our house, the smartest people in the world are the ones who read books. And there's just something to going to a different place and living a life other than your own having different feelings, having your empathy awakened, being exposed to different cultures and ideas and concepts.
• 11:26
  Becky Endicott: This is a very good thing for the world. And you know, our core value, our first core value here we're for good is that everyone matters. And when you can walk into a community, a situation a place and feel that everyone there has some value, I really feel like books give us that empathy, to see people in ways that we would have never seen because we can peek behind the curtain to other people's lives. And so thank you for changing the world. Just one good night moon at a time. But I wanted to talk to you about what do you all what kind of gap are you feeling right now? And I want to talk about the impact that you've seen from that.
• 12:11
  Greig Metzger: Sure. Well, you know, you mentioned earlier on a beginning, sort of the components of our mission, right, I mean, it's about being a catalyst for building community. And we see readers and users of little free libraries, our volunteers that we call stewards attend to a little free library book exchange, as well as patrons that use it. You know, neighborhoods and communities are friendlier. I mean, they they know, more people there, you know, have meet new people.
• 12:37
  Greig Metzger: So there's no question that the fiscal little free library book exchange, you know, helps improve that that community aspect and builds communities.
• 12:50
  Greig Metzger: You talked about inspiration of readers there, you know, again, the stories that we have you shared Jon about you walking around with your children and do a we get stories of family members that go there. And, you know, kids just take off, right, and they're running to find what little free library, you know, what they can find in that little free library book. And, and for us, again, we hear these stories in it. And it's a two fold source. I mean, we really believe that, you know, the opportunity to read a book and find a book shouldn't have to be a special event, right? It should be able to be ubiquitous, it should be always be able to find things, right. So so there's that aspect, but but the joy of somebody finding book events, not just kids, right? I mean, adults will admit to right, they approach a little free library with anticipation to see what they might find there, in terms of a book to necessarily read. So that inspiration is something that's a gap, but it's something that we feel that we are helping build those communities that inspire that reading community, right, without a doubt. And then the last thing you mentioned is important to us is book access.
• 13:52
  Greig Metzger: And, you know, this is an area where we have reoriented our organization and re emphasized that theme through our programmatic activities. And we'll talk probably a little bit more about that. But you know, book deserts are a real thing.
• 14:09
  Greig Metzger: You know, in our, in our country, unfortunately, we've identified that there probably over 3000 census tract, you know, units, if you will, across the country where it is really, really difficult to find a book right find printed material. So, you know, our goal, not only in building community inspiring readings, but working through this volunteer network of stewards, and they're in the little free library book exchanges. Can we go into places where book access is a problem, find partners, and provide that resource. So all people right, wherever they live, right? No matter the time of day, that access to a personally relevant book isn't restricted by privilege or where you live or what your mom or dad does or anything along those lines. So, for us, that's that's sort of a three fold aspect of some of the ways that we're doing trying to fill some gaps through our activity, a little free library.
• 15:03
  Jonathan McCoy: The fact you call your volunteers, these stewards? I mean,
• 15:06
  Becky Endicott: I know.
• 15:08
  Jonathan McCoy: It's beautiful.
• 15:08
  Jonathan McCoy: And I just think of the folks in our neighborhood that have those in their homes like they are those people in the neighborhood that know people by name, and that are always out walking their dogs. And it's just the community aspect of this. I wonder what have you learned in activating, we would call them the rabid fans are the believers of your mission that take that next step, these stewards put a box on their property for people to come and visit? Like, what is what have you learned and growing that level of volunteer ship and community around this nonprofit?
• 15:39
  Greig Metzger: You know, it's interesting, you ask that question, because it's, there's no single secret sauce, I don't think other than the concept of concept around, you know, flexibility, we encourage people, you know, in terms of taking ownership, and, and, and help reflect the community that didn't necessarily and so we have definitely recommendations on process, right, in terms of, you know, you need to let people know that it's there, right, you know, use social media for, for a positive right platform to share the fact that you're necessarily there, you know, depending on where you are, geographically, you know, time of year might make some difference, but have events and let people know they're there.
• 16:18
  Greig Metzger: And really, you know, use and try to reflect the community that's there, and your neighbors in the books that you necessarily supply, supply. So, you know, we're very focused on providing best practices, but we're not in, in the business of telling you, you know, step one, step two to three, these are exactly the things that you necessarily need to do. So people do other things within it, I mean, ensure other things.
• 16:46
  Greig Metzger: I mean, I think you might have seen that in the COVID, you know, pandemic where people were sharing, unfortunately, in some instances foodstuffs and personal care items, and that kind of thing. But other people do other things they do, you know, tool, toys, games, you know, puzzles, you know, sometimes you see people sharing a little bit of artwork, that kind of thing. So, you know, in our mind, you need to we encourage people to tap into their passion, right, in terms of whether it's a genre of books or other things. That's how you get people excited about participating.
• 17:51
  Becky Endicott: You guys get it, I'm just I'm so proud of what you've built, it is so wholesome. It's smile inducing, it's community building, it's knowledge sharing. When Deborah pitched us she shared this incredible program that you all are working on called Read in Color Initiative. And I want you to talk about this dei component and talk to us about what inspired this program, and what has been the outcome and the response from your community to it.
• 18:22
  Greig Metzger: As I mentioned, I think earlier that, you know, we're in St. Paul. And, you know, in 2020, May of 2020, Minneapolis was a site of the horrific murder of George Floyd.
• 18:33
  Greig Metzger: And many, if not most of our staff work in our live in Minneapolis, St. Paul area. So this was incredibly close to home. And we were challenged as an organization, about what could we do to help help the community heal and recognize right, we're a small little nonprofit, right? There's only so many so much things that we necessarily do. And so we had a number of conversations internally, with staff with our board, we started reaching out to some of the community organizations that were nearby in the vicinity of where George Floyd was murdered, and and try to figure out So what could we necessarily do that fit within, you know, the our charter, if you will, in terms of things and, and, Becky, you know, you mentioned that in the very beginning about providing perspectives that are different than our own, can only increase empathy and understanding. And so we said, well, this is something that we can do. And it's through books that we can create that and the way we do that is making sure that those books that we tried to get into the hands of the community are diverse, reflect a broad range of authors and audiences and topics and the like. And so fortunate to have a couple other marketing agencies that came along and said, We want to help and help design some things. And so we came up with a reading color program, which is the program I think that temper mentioned to you. And it's all about diverse books, we launched it in the fall of 2020. And frankly, it was really designed to be local, we reached out to a number of organizations that provide literate educational support more so than anything, you know, social services, programs, family programs, children after school kinds of things, that kind of thing. And with them figured out, okay, how what do we need to do with this, this program and it really has sort of four components. The first is we encourage people to take a reading color pledge, and basically it's all about your pledge. You take it make a commitment to share diverse books, and it it and I say this, it means you don't need to have a little free library to do that, right? I mean, that's great. That's one of the ways to do it. But you know what you can go and you can share it with a colleague, you can share it with a book party, you can share it with the aunt and uncle or your children, or what have you, is read a book and share it with you. And just that act right of taking and spreading the word around, you know, this is a great book that I read, I think you'd appreciate it and enjoy it, and whatever is important.
• 20:55
  Greig Metzger: So that pledge is part of it.
• 20:59
  Greig Metzger: And then we, of course, we, when we were looking for books to be recommended, right? Well, we've assembled a list. And I want to be clear, it's not an exhaustive list. It's not the only list list. It's our, you know, suggestions of opportunities if you're stuck for books, and I can't even remember Margaret will tell you it probably over 100 150 titles on this list right now that are broad range of authorship. So the LGBTQ community bipoc, Native American indigenous communities, different religious authors, so Muslim, Jewish, and Christian faiths, different age groups, so early readers, middle readers and adult readers. So that entire list is one we necessarily recommend. And again, we'd like if you're lost, here's a book, go to one of our affiliates to buy it if you need to, or a librarian, that kind of thing. So those that aspect. And then the other two components were how do we get these books into these communities? So it's twofold. One, you know, we installed new little free library book exchanges with sets of books that reflect the people in the communities that they're being installed in, in this case, yeah, in Minneapolis. And so it's, again, a broad range, although I would say they tend to skew more towards children's books and middle age, middle readers, as opposed to adult books. So we did that with 20 locations, here in the Twin Cities. And then the other component, and this is also important was then getting books into the hands of existing communities, right. And there's no better network than a little free library book sharing network, right to do that. So we offered book bundles and packages of diverse books, to our stewards in the Minneapolis, St. Paul community, offered them you know, free, right, we basically deliver them to them, ship them ups, I think we had 10, or 15 titles necessarily in doing that. And so those four components in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis, St. Paul, were our effort to broaden and share diverse perspectives, right, because if you don't have that opportunity to read it, it's not going to necessarily happen. And so fast forward a little bit, it was incredibly well received, both by the steward community and by our partners. And so we sat down and said, Well, you know, this is maybe not a bad thing to try to, you know, expand nationally. And so from 2020, to 2021, and 2022. That's what we've been doing. And so we've expanded the program to across the country in targeted cities. I'm gonna forget a few.
• 23:39
  Greig Metzger: But from Boston to Oakland, to Phoenix to Atlanta to New Orleans, we've done some in New York, Washington, DC, Denver, Portland, and we will continue to necessarily grow that. And the key is working with local partners that want to do this kind of thing. And, you know, the reaction has been tremendous. I'll give you one example. And this is what you know, it, it, it really makes things It really makes me very happy. I guess it's for lack of a better description. One of our earlier partners here in Minneapolis shared the story about he was visiting one of the reading color libraries with his daughter, I think she's about eight or nine. And she found this book called out of the scientist, right. And it's a children's book, about a 10 year old girl of color. That's always a scientist, and the little girl that found the book and a little free library reading color library shared with her dad that it was like, it was just like her in the book. And her dad share that after the fact that she played scientist, right at home, because she had the opportunity to read this book.
• 24:58
  Greig Metzger: And I think that that's one of those things that books can do.
• 25:02
  Greig Metzger: I mean, they're like, they're like super weapons or, you know, in terms of opportunity. And here, you know, this girl, you know, who knows, I mean, she may or may not have, you know, you never sort of know, but was inspired by the book that she found of something that might be an opportunity for her to be able to do. And so in my mind, that's an example of the kind of impact that hopefully we figured this program is happening, although not known necessarily across the country where we tried to do these things and Yeah, it just it makes you glad to go to the work, you know, every morning, that kind of thing.
• 25:40
  Becky Endicott: Greig, like I'm about to cry. And I want to say this from the bottom of my heart. Thank you so much for this program, I, I am in awe of the kindness, the inclusive nature, the the representation.
• 25:57
  Becky Endicott: And to know that something like this tragic incident with George Floyd, I mean, so we were all rocked by that. But you took it a step further and said, What is this mean to what we do? And how can we be an organization that says, we're going to build communities that thrive? And we're not going to be known for that we're going to be known for this. And I'm going to even guess maybe that little girl read Ada Twist Scientist, because I love that book. And it's about a little black girl who is an incredible scientist.
• 26:38
  Becky Endicott: And it's a favorite at our house, too. But I just think, looking at your mission in innovative ways to say, what are our values here? What do we want to be known for, and expressly going out, and, and insane to your communities. This is what little free library is and it hits and strikes of really sensitive chord for us here in Oklahoma, because we're going through book bannings that are going on at libraries, people are defunding their libraries, because they have an opinion about that. But here, I'm almost off my soapbox, Jon. But here's the thing. And this is not this is not a political statement. I want to make a statement about humanity. And I want to make a statement about love. We believe so deeply in philanthropy, we believe in the power of the act of philanthropy. And it's not just about giving money. It's about the act of giving, serving, showing up volunteering, loving your neighbor. And when we start that early, and we teach kids how to love openly, we're creating such a more vibrant world. And I just think that the way that you have implemented it with your nonprofit, is just a real beacon that I hope others can adapt and learn from. So bravo.
• 27:57
  Greig Metzger: Thank you so much.
• 27:58
  Jonathan McCoy: hey, I mean, I would just echo Becky, because I love finding the way that it makes sense for your mission.
• 28:03
  Jonathan McCoy: Like, I think that's how we all can approach this, because there's a lot of things that are hard right now in our world, but looking through the lens of like how we can jump into the conversation and be an active role in that. So I want to talk about getting active, because y'all clearly have figured this out. And I want to just like point to people how this is an organization, everybody can get behind and find a way to infuse it into their community. So kind of share the ways that people can get involved with y'all.
• 28:28
  Greig Metzger: Well, you know, I'm gonna go through gradients in terms of a level of intensity, maybe it's the best way to share that, as a starting point, if you're interested in just learning more or finding a little free library. And by chance, you have not seen one yet or don't want know where one is, we have a mobile app, both in iOS and Android application, you can download it on the phone. And basically, once you open it up, and you don't need to set up an account, you can open it up, and you can find little free libraries that are near you. Now, I can't guarantee depending on where you are that there's a little free library necessarily right near you. But that's a starting point. And so I encourage you people to do that and go find it. And you know, and fine. And the next step in terms of engagement would be either to borrow a book or share a book. And, you know, we welcome people to you know, deposit, you know, gently used books that you think that would be compelling read, we do ask that people don't put in their accounting textbook from 30 years ago.
• 29:29
  Becky Endicott: No tax law, please.
• 29:31
  Greig Metzger: No tax law, right. Yeah, absolutely. But, but what that's another way to necessarily get engaged. And it's a little bit less, you know, intensive in terms of commitment, kinds of things. But it, it we do see the community adopting a little free libraries are really critical, important aspect of its success, right in terms of how things necessarily progress. Now, if you're interested in a little bit more, you know, engagement and a little bit more of a commitment.
• 29:59
  Greig Metzger: You know, we welcome everyone to become a volunteer steward, and have their own little free library, in some instances that could be in their front yard.
• 30:07
  Greig Metzger: But we also encourage people as part of organizations to do this, whether it's, you know, a fraternal group, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts of faith community, you know, a school, a bridge club, you know, whatever it might necessarily be, there are a lot, a lot of ways to do that.
• 30:26
  Greig Metzger: But, you know, again, it's a little bit more commitment to get on put a little free library. We do again, remind people You need to check for local rules and regulations about where you putting things you can't just dig holes and put little free libraries in for you. Before You Dig Yes, absolutely. Thank you, Jon, without a doubt. So you know, that's there. And then, you know, lastly, and I would be remiss, my my advancement officer would be mad at me if I didn't mention, but you know, we are a nonprofit. And if you are interested, either as an individual and or as an organization, like to support us financially, you can go to our website, little free library.org. And there's a place to donate and all of those donations go to support programs, like our impact library program, the reading color program that we just talked about, you know, all of our grant programs are supported by financial donations.
• 31:20
  Becky Endicott: As advancement professionals, we want to applaud the fact that you have asked for donations, that is exactly what you should be doing great job Executive Director, and we want people to give and I have to tell you, I'm about to go take on my HOA because I want one of these in my neighborhood, I think it inspires people to get out to talk to read to get, you know, out in the sunshine and exercise. There's just so many wonderful benefits for it.
• 31:42
  Becky Endicott: So, you know, we really value story here on this podcast. And we think there's a lot of power and understanding how philanthropy moves and people's lives. So we wonder if there's a story of philanthropy that has happened in your life Big or small, doesn't have to be a donation, it could be an act that has kind of stayed with you that you'd be willing to share with us.
• 32:04
  Greig Metzger: Yeah, you know, it's not telling your audience anything they don't know is you sort of queued up that question.
• 32:12
  Greig Metzger: And I was like thinking a little bit about that. I appreciate that. And I actually, something more recent, and you, you know, Becky, you mentioned it a little bit about youth and children.
• 32:23
  Greig Metzger: And the story I have is one that was a couple of years ago now is actually one of our at our readin color event in Washington, DC. And we're launching it as part of this event, we not only have books to share in the library, but we invite children to participate.
• 32:37
  Greig Metzger: There's a readalong, and we give out books and a variety of necessarily of books. And, and this one instance, I think we had run out of a particular title. And the young boy, maybe seven or eight, something along those lines, you could tell he's clearly disappointed in necessarily the title, and it might have been because it was a legit LeBron James Book or something along those lines. And lo and behold, right, one of his friends, right, saw his disappointment. And literally said here, you can take my copy, I can get another one because there were other books that were there. Right, but not necessarily that one. And I was struck, you know, about how the the innocence and just the good naturednous of the act of sharing what was in his hands with someone that didn't have it. The act of thinking less from a mindset of scarcity, but have a mindset of abundance.
• 33:38
  Greig Metzger: And, you know, it just encourages me as I guess, as a older human being in the United States, right, that, you know, there is the opportunity to improve our world improve our communities, but but and the way that there's a way to do that is instilling those acts of kindness, the willingness to share those, those philanthropic moment, and that's a big word, right for an eight year old. So we could probably figure out a different word, but to do that, I think can only make our world necessarily a better place. So for me, you know, that's kind of one of those things that just sort of stuck with me as as just again, that the innocence of the act, and no one asked, and frankly, I don't think anybody you know, two of them didn't note that I had seen it necessarily. Yeah. And it just, I mean, it's kind of one of those things that again, kind of makes you feel good about things after the fact.
• 34:34
  Jonathan McCoy: Oh, my gosh, I mean, Greig, so you are good to be surrounded by so many of these cool stories like that, but also just stories in general. And so we round out all of our conversations as confer you're one good thing, this could be a piece of advice or just something that you feel like you want to lift to our community day, I want to kick it to you to share your one good thing today.
• 34:54
  Greig Metzger: In my mind of for us at our organization, and I think almost everyone, you can't be afraid to try new things. You can't be afraid to experiment, you know, me, you can't do crazy stuff, right? And you need to be prudent and so do things. But, you know, you if you if you don't try to improve, you don't try to new new and different things. You can't move things forward. You can't move the needle. And so, you know, from my perspective, my advice to anybody in not only within our organization, but to anyone else, you know, that's trying to make the world a little bit of a better place is you know, you gotta be willing to experiment to or, you know, willing to, you know, swing and miss right?
• 35:33
  Greig Metzger: Because otherwise you can't learn and you can't move things forward.
• 35:39
  Jonathan McCoy: We have a very technical term for this.
• 35:42
  Becky Endicott: Hey, you got that athletic reference too. So I'm proud of you. But I mean, it's, it's not just a feel good conversation. Thank you for the little free library, thank you for the opportunity to just talk about books, tell people how they can connect with you, I am looking on your website, because I wasn't kidding, I'm gonna ask my HOA to put one of these in our neighborhood. And it's so affordable to start one of these. So talk to people where they can go and how they can connect with you all.
• 36:10
  Greig Metzger: So again, I encourage you to download the mobile app, and that's your iOS or Android, you know, basically store. But if you go to our website, little free library.or Wwe dot little free library.org There's a wealth of information about how to start a little free library about our programs, our grant programs. For some of those, you know that perhaps while it is reasonably inexpensive to do, there are organizations or people that not we have grant programs, I encourage you to apply. We can't give away little free libraries to everybody. But we do have a philanthropic aspect to granting things. So encouraged to do that. You also can sign up for our email newsletter at the website. And that's one of the ways you get we do a number of book giveaways throughout the year. So there's an opportunity necessarily to do that. And then finally, you know, you can go and visit your, your social media platform of choice, whether that's Facebook, or Instagram, or Twitter or LinkedIn and connect us with us there. You know, I think all of those resources, I think, give you a robust view of how you can be engaged with us as an organization
• 37:20
  Becky Endicott: extraordinaire.
• 37:21
  Jonathan McCoy: I mean, and this founding story, I know you'd mentioned the founder has passed, but what a beautiful legacy of just using his passion for creating and train trying to create community and like what it's grown into. And I think that's just something we can all connect to, and whatever it is on our own life that we can point to. So thank you, Greig, this conversation like, I want to go get my kids and go get a book out of the little free library. So we may just do that.
• 37:45
  Becky Endicott: Let's go read some Ramona and Beezus and some Super Fetch guys. It's gonna be amazing, and we can change the world. Thank you, Greig. rooting for you and all things and appreciate again, David and Deborah for connecting us absolutely feel heart filled by this conversation.
• 37:59
  Greig Metzger: Wonderful. Thank you for the opportunity.
• 38:02
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• 38:04
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• 38:23
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• 38:26
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• 38:35
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