National Art Honor Society (NAHS) members completed a series of three themed library boxes that they had been working on since last year.

Library boxes go by many different names, but they all follow the same concept: Bring a book to put in the box, and take a new book to read.

Intermediate building librarian Scott Shaffer said that the boxes were a community effort. “From the start, the little libraries project has been a joint venture with the Mason Dixon Public Library.”

In order to build the libraries, Mason Dixon Library and Shaffer received funds to purchase the building supplies from a grant from The South Eastern Community Education Foundation (SECEF). In addition, “True Value in Shrewsbury donated the paints and painting tools so they could be painted,” Shaffer said.

Two men from the community, Bruce Hurley and Bryce Cooper, built the libraries using materials that could endure the elements outside.

Then, Shaffer reached out to art teacher Alex Bastian towards the beginning of last year looking for student artists to paint library boxes.

Bastian decided to participate because NAHS is always looking for ways to bring art into the community and the boxes were a perfect opportunity.

“It felt good to know my art would be shared with the community,” said Bradley.

The members of NAHS received three library boxes at the end of the first semester and worked on them on and off over the course of the second semester.

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The project took approximately a semester to complete, because NAHS members had a variety of other projects to work on, too.

Each of the three members picked a different theme. Alumni Makayla Phoebus painted her box with a general book theme, junior Alyssa Davis chose a Doctor Seuss theme, and senior Natalie Bradley painted her box in The Very Hungry Caterpillar theme.

“I just thought of colorful things that people would recognize and decided [on] a doctor Suess theme,” said Davis. Bradley also wanted something community members would readily recognize.

As of right now, Shaffer has picked up the library boxes, but it is unknown where the three decorated boxes will be placed.

The student participants felt there were some challenges that came with the project.

“One of the biggest challenges was not having any guidelines. It’s kind of hard coming up with an idea when you don’t have any specific criteria like a color scheme or specific theme. But, overall, they turned out very well,” said Bradley.

Bastian also felt as though the project came with some complications. “[Shaffer] talked very big last year and said the boxes would arrive soon, but they didn’t come until later and by that time, the NAHS students were very busy with other projects,” said Bastian.

Overall, the artists enjoyed the experience despite the challenges, and would gladly participate again.

“If I had more time, yes, I would do it again,” said Davis.

While the three boxes from NAHS have not yet been placed in the community, some already exist.

Kimmy’s Cafe in Fawn Grove has a library box inside of their lobby and welcomes people to not only take a book, but also offers children free ice cream if they can summarize the book to a staff member.