A San Diego neighborhood is stepping up after a structure that houses free books for the community was stolen.
The "little free library" in North Park is a small structure that sits in front of Annie Jones' home on Commonwealth Avenue. Structures like this one, which serve as spots to exchange free books, are becoming increasingly popular in communities.
Jones says her "little free library" went missing from its spot in January.
Last Wednesday, a neighbor saw it in a nearby vacant lot but by the time she went to get it, it was gone.
“When it was gone I was so devastated,” said Jones, who got the library as 70th birthday gift from a close friend.
Jones posted about the incident on a community news app and has been getting replies by the dozens. Many responses are from neighbors who want to help rebuild her gift to the community.
“I got a post that said ‘My boyfriend will come and make you a new one.’ I was stunned. Really shows you what kind of neighborhood we have,” she said.
North Park residents say they plan to meet at Jones' yard on Commonwealth Avenue on Monday to discuss plans to rebuild a new little library.
Many residents gathered Monday night and said they're committed to the project. Neighbors plan to gather in front of Jones' home on April 2 to build a new little free library, and bolt this one to the ground so no one can steal it.
