“Books are lighthouses erected in the great sea of time.” — American essayist and critic E.P. Whipple
Lately, it seems like virtually every neighborhood thoroughfare and street corner in America has a freestanding books-sharing box. Joining that noble international movement to spread a passion for books and encourage literacy is the Jewish Museum of Maryland, an agency of The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore.
Located in East Baltimore’s Jonestown community, the JMM recently installed a well-decorated exchange box — which is not an official or registered Little Free Library bookcase — for passersby at the intersection of Lombard and Lloyd streets, on the campus it shares with the historic B’nai Israel and Lloyd Street synagogues.
“The Lombard & Lloyd Library is a dynamic public space that allows Museum guests, community members, and neighbors to share books, zines, and resources like KN95 masks and other health supplies,” the JMM posted recently on social media. “The Lombard & Lloyd Library is operating as a take-what-you-need, give-what-you-can system.
“See a book that interests you? It’s yours! Have a book that you’ve already read a million times and want to pass on? Leave it here!”
The library serves three primary purposes, said Naomi Weintraub, the JMM’s community artist-in-residence.
“First, it’s a visually striking and beautiful way to bring both contemporary art and traditional Jewish symbols out of our galleries and onto a corner of our campus that sees a lot of foot traffic,” said Weintraub. “Second, it’s a community outreach tool for the Museum, where we share books, zines, information about the Museum, and public health resources with people in the Jonestown neighborhood and people passing through.
“And third, since there is a seat attached to the Lombard & Lloyd Little Library, it is a place where people can sit, rest and read for a bit.”
For information about the Lombard & Lloyd Library, contact Weintraub at nweintraub@jewishmuseummd.org.
The JMM’s latest exhibit, Material/Inheritance: Contemporary Work by New Jewish Culture Fellows, is on view now through June 11.
The gathering on June 4 will be part of activities and programming around the world marking "Holocaust Survivor Day."
'It's Classic!" featured rock climbing, food, live entertainment and more.
The Jerusalem Orchestra East & West, which arranged the program for young musicians, blends Western orchestral music with Middle Eastern traditions.
A Norfolk native, Frankle worked at Sinai Hospital, Camp Airy and privately for five decades.