Fundraising To Build A “Little Free Library” in Forest Hills Giving The Gift of Reading in a Historic Manner in Federoff Triangle
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Selection of Little Free Library staff, Courtesy of Margret Aldrich.
By Michael Perlman
Between the pages lies a journey at your fingertips. In the near future, a Little Free Library is planned for Federoff Triangle in Forest Hills, a project launched by this columnist who is a fifth generation Forest Hills resident, author, and historic preservationist. This neighborly Queens Boulevard park, bounded by 67th Road and 102nd Street, grants the ambiance of a town center, and a library unit would make the spirits of the late humanitarians Barnett and Gussie Federoff proud. Everyone, including current and former residents, can help develop it and share the honor by donating: www.gofundme.com/f/build-an-architectural-little-free-library-in-forest-hills
The new Little Free Library would accommodate between 20 and 30 books, where residents could donate a book, take a book home, or read it in the park. This opportunity, which was visualized in 2023, would inspire children to seniors, including parkgoers. It would be architecturally-inspired, celebrate local nostalgia, and become part of a broad network of registered creative Little Free Libraries citywide, nationally, and internationally.
Founded in 2009, Little Free Library is a nonprofit in St. Paul, MN, which exemplifies humanitarianism, as it partners with an extensive coalition of stewards who embrace giving the gift of reading and education. This encourages the public to donate rather than discard unwanted books and ties into being environmentally savvy. Simultaneously, it fosters community bonds stemming from simple pleasures.
Planned site of Little Free Library, Federoff Triangle, June 2016 photo by Michael Perlman.
Nineteen employees work diligently to support greater than 3,000 Little Free Libraries mapped in New York and 200,000+ worldwide. In 2022, an app was launched, enabling a diverse audience to map registered Little Free Libraries, where favorite libraries can be marked, routes can be created, and messages can be left in stewards’ guest books, among other engaging pursuits: https://littlefreelibrary.org/app
“Every Little Free Library is a gift, as they help build community, inspire readers, and expand book access for all. It’s even more special when the design of a Little Free Library holds cultural significance in its community,” said Margret Aldrich, director of communications for Little Free Library. She pointed out the post-installation experience. “We often hear from the steward that they meet more neighbors in a week than they have in years. Little Free Libraries have a way of bringing people together. We encourage you to take photos of the unveiling ceremony and share them with us.”
To uncover diverse stories of worldwide stewards, Aldrich’s book, “The Little Free Library Book,” is available for purchase. “Studies have repeatedly shown that books in the hands of children have a meaningful impact on improving literacy. The more books in or near the home, the more likely a child will learn and love to read,” said Aldrich. However, two out of three children living in poverty have no books to call their own. Additionally, there are over 30 million adults who are unable to read or write above a third-grade level.
This columnist held productive meetings with the Parks Department and independently retained Architect Mateo Gaon of Cantos Inc, an engineering, construction, and architectural firm that is DBE and MBE Certified. Producing scaled drawings, renderings, and 3D modeling is among the various necessary design and build stages to develop a durable, creative, and highly beneficial project. The Little Free Library will be maintained by this columnist among volunteers.
Fox Theatre Little Free Library by Rick Schroeder, Atlanta, GA
Enter the world of Mateo Gaon, who was born and raised in Cuenca, Ecuador, an internationally significant city for its Colonial architecture and historic preservation. “Some heritage buildings are saved legally from demolition. That awareness influenced the way I approach projects such as this. I think design can be utilized to preserve identity, even in simple actions like this Little Free Library,” he said.
Gaon resides in New Jersey and works in New York, where he is completing a professional training program in architecture and construction management. He achieved a degree in Architecture and Urbanism from the University of Cuenca. “My specialty is architectural design and visualization, Building Information Modeling (BIM) methodology, and digital coordination of infrastructure projects. I have been working for the past two years and a half at Cantos Inc, a New York-based company that operates in coordination with leading transit agencies on engineering and architectural design,” he said.
Gaon feels honored to play a role in keeping a community’s memory alive through design. He explained, “As an architect, I believe architecture has to serve functionality and emotional attachment, and this project beautifully serves both. Transforming a lost ‘landmark’ into a Little Free Library feels like giving a piece of the community’s own history back to the community. We are very aware of architecture conservation in Cuenca, as our heritage and history reside in this type of art more than any other.”
Architect Mateo Gaon, Cantos Inc.
Creativity is an extension of our soul that merits cultivation, and such is the case of commemorating a building that becomes a journey within itself. Gaon explained, “Although small in scale, the design is highly detailed, and the library will replicate the façade of [a surprise] building, keeping its proportions and features in miniature form. Every line is drawn with the intent of maintaining the building’s original character while ensuring durability, accessibility, and resistance to weathering. Most individuals are unaware of the amount of technical effort needed to convert historical architecture into a small, public, outdoor model. As Ludwig Mies van der Rohe would say, ‘God is in the details.’”
Beyond promoting literacy, the project resurrects a collective memory, according to Gaon. “It’s a meeting place for architecture, history, and community. I can envision children learning about books while their parents recall the [surprise] building. That across-the-generation connection and the knowledge within the book pages is the real dividend.”
A wide range of donors, spanning various neighborhoods, interests, and talents, already began uniting to share an enthusiastic voice within the first few days the architecturally-inspired Little Free Library fundraiser was launched, raising nearly $1,200 as a start. Paul J. Marcel, a volunteer EMT with the Forest Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps donated as an individual and on behalf of the organization. He explained, “The success of these little miniature homes that spark imagination to youngsters when seen provides reading materials for all ages and groups. It is a great source of local communication building a network within the area it resides. Positive community engagement is everything in structured living.”
At 81, Forest Hills resident Steve Abraham, who donated initially based on the idyllic location of Federoff Triangle, attributed his career to the power of reading. He also feels it is essential that young generations read books, and not only social media posts. “I grew up with a love for reading books, and then going to the movies based on those books. This encouraged me to make the movie business my life’s work. This all started in school when teachers encouraged and assigned many great books to read.”
Historian Kevin Walsh is the face behind the cornerstone website Forgotten New York. “I support Michael’s efforts to preserve historic architecture, and the Little Free Library boxes are an excellent way to do this,” he said.
Forest Hills resident Larry Ng, the originator of the “Queens, The World’s Borough” 3D sculpture in MacDonald Park, visualizes a Little Free Library at Federoff Triangle bringing the joy of reading to the community. “I envision children and adults borrowing a book to read on its many nice benches. Given Michael’s knowledge and love of architecture and history, I am sure this library will be interesting and unique.” Acknowledging the larger picture, he said, “It is heartwarming to see so many volunteers who commit their care, time, effort and generous donations to community projects in Forest Hills and Rego Park, making it a better place for all.”
Local resident Dahlia Be felt it was a pleasure and her duty to contribute, and is hopeful that it will expand to neighboring areas. She explained, “People are so stuck on their devices and social media. Even for myself, I read less than I used to. I keep books all around my apartment to remind me that reading is so important for many reasons, and to motivate me to read more. I hope this Little Free Library encourages others to read more and get involved with their community, and come together through books during a divisive time. Other than expanding our knowledge, exercising our brain and expanding imagination and creativity, reading can be comforting and a great escape.”
Multifaceted visual Artist Susan Varo of Rego Park founded My Works of Art, LLC. She envisions the future of the Little Free Library at Federoff Triangle to serve as a bridge to the surrounding communities. “I believe it will give everyone a unique opportunity of having random selections of books available, and a place to leave a book for others to explore. The park is at an intersection where many sit to pass the time, take in the sunshine, or quickly pass through. Having a Little Free Library at this location will now allow time well-spent, along with getting an education, filled with anticipation and excitement for what may be found in those books’ many pages.”
She continued, “This is an amazing undertaking that serves to illustrate the importance of education, community, and preservation, and the need to have a space that can remain undisturbed. It creates a focal point and a place where many can meet, share memories, and learn that there is still a welcoming location, while many changes are taking place in their communities.”
Florence Zeman of Forest Hills fulfills her passion for reading not only by navigating the Queens Public Library, but as an avid user of Little Free Libraries. “I look inside to see what interests me, and I put books that I finish in these libraries. I have read many good books that I picked up at these libraries, so I was thrilled to see that another one was being set up in Forest Hills,” she said. “I hope the library in Federoff Triangle stays well stocked, and many people can benefit. I can see people sitting and reading in this great location near the subway, bus, and stores.”
“I’m confident that this worthwhile library project will take off and become a viable necessity to the community,” said Brooklyn resident David Leifer, whose connection to Forest Hills is through his maternal grandparents, who lived in Birchwood Towers as of the late 1960s. This was the same complex that Barnett and Gussie Federoff called home.
“It is a great honor to contribute to a culturally rich, artistic and noble cause. It will give the community a chance to see something inspirational that serves as a free resource for all types of books, ranging from educational to fiction to cookbooks,” said Woodhaven resident Barbara Malament. She visualizes children and adults discovering books that they never had a chance to read, and continued, “Just by seeing this beautiful hand-crafted piece, it will uplift and bring nostalgia to all. Visitors will love to snap pictures, and pose with it to show their appreciation of the architectural details and the variety of books within.”
Her daughter Deborah Camp, also of Woodhaven, is an author, humanitarian, and window and wall muralist, who is slated to have her “Forest Hills Planting The Seeds of Tomorrow” mural installed in MacDonald Park in spring 2026. She united in solidarity to help fund the Little Free Library project. “I feel honored to be part of the story of bringing this vision to life to provide public access to the magic of books in Forest Hills. It will bring inspiration to everyone from children to the elderly to discover, borrow, and exchange stories that will enrich their lives, and provide an outlet that literature has to offer, contributing to positive mental health and well-being.”
She also values its planned customized details. “It will enrich our neighborhood with books displayed in a whimsical way within a functional piece of art, which has multiple messages and symbols of history and architecture. This will continue the meaningful stories that shaped the façade of Forest Hills over the years.”
Rego Park resident Svetlana Sheynina, who occasionally volunteers, values her “good neighborhood,” and said, “I am glad to support this project because it makes the area even better.” She views Federoff Triangle as a draw. “With a library and books, there will be a good reason for people to communicate and know each other over meaningful entertainment. Some books that are thrown away can soon be enjoyed longer,” she continued.
