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SPEARFISH, S.D. (AP) — The D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery and Archives has long been a major part of his family's life, and in an effort to give something back, Kyle Doerges, of Spearfish, built a Little Free Library that is a replica of the 1899 hatchery building that currently functions as a museum onsite.
"The hatchery's been a big part of our kids' lives, and they spend a lot of time there," Doerges told the Black Hills Pioneer (http://bit.ly/2bRhycC ). "They volunteer a lot of their time there, and it's really taught them the value of giving and being part of an organization. It's given them kind of a sense of ownership, and they just enjoy the grounds. We just wanted to give something back."
Doerges said that after discussing options with staff onsite, they narrowed down the options for the design to a replica of the ice house or museum building, and because of the museum's unique appearance and design and Doerges' desire for a challenge, he decided to go that route. He started designing the library last fall, working on it through the winter, and it was installed earlier this spring near the ice house and railcar on the hatchery grounds. He said it was a fun project and described it as a "labor of love."
"They (Doerges and Carlos Martinez, hatchery director) worked hard to make sure that it was appropriate for the hatchery grounds, and I think that's reflected well in it being a mini replica of our 1899 hatchery building," April Gregory, executive director of the Booth Society, the nonprofit friends groups that supports the hatchery, said. "That hatchery building is one of the few left of its kind in the entire nation, so it's a really neat building for Spearfish to have. It's cool that the Little Library reflects a unique piece of American history since it's a hatchery building."
Doerges said that the library is made from plywood and the same cedar shingles that are on the museum building. The same paint was also used to match to the building, and Doerges thanked various businesses and individuals who contributed to the project. The Knothole provided the wood for the railings and spindles on the front of the library; The Glass Shop provided the plexiglass; and Warnock Welding Service provided the materials and fabrication for the bar on which the library is set.
The motto of Little Free Library is, "Take a Book, Return a Book," and the nonprofit was co-founded in 2012 with the mission "To promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges worldwide and to build a sense of community as we share skills, creativity and wisdom across generations."
Each registered Little Free Library has a charter number, representing the number of Little Free Libraries located around the world, and the hatchery library is officially registered as Charter #39918. Gregory said many visitors passing by are enjoying peeking in the windows, opening the door, and browsing the books, and with the library's unique design, it's been very popular with children. She encouraged people to drop off books they would like to donate in the hatchery archives front lobby if they would like the books to be stamped with the D.C. Booth Fish Hatchery Little Free Library stamp; otherwise, patrons are welcome to leave family-friendly books in the library on their own, as well as take books to read.
"It's neat for the hatchery to be able to have one (Little Free Library) for people to utilize in addition to their city library," Gregory said. "The hatchery receives a lot of visitors from around the country and world who don't have a library card at our local library, so it's a nice way for them to be able to take a book and leave a book if they would like (as they travel)."
"I hope that people use it," Doerges said. "I hope that people share their books and deposit books, hatchery-related, outdoor-related . it's a free library, so people can enjoy the materials that are placed in there."
Gregory voiced the hatchery's appreciation for Doerges' work and the support of the community in the project.
"I am continually floored by the amount of support this hatchery has by the local community, and this is another example of many examples throughout the years that the hatchery has been in the community, of community members giving back to the hatchery and really taking pride in having this facility in town," she said.
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Information from: Black Hills Pioneer, http://www.bhpioneer.com
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