By Kate Bartlett
Sam Nelson (pictured), owner of EVL Events planning, built the Little Free Library on Maples Road to share her love for reading with the Ellicottville community. For just over one year, she has kept the library well-stocked with a wide variety of books for all ages and genres.
Sam has fond memories of reading from a young age. “I remember devouring American Girl books on the floor of the Olean Library at 10-years-old,” recalls Sam. “Reading has always been a part of my life.” In addition to volunteering regularly at the Scholastic Book Fair at her son’s school, Ellicottville Central, she started an area book club 3 years ago. “It’s a great way to connect with others while sharing a love for reading, as well as explore books and genres that may have not been on your radar.”
Before starting her own Little Free Library, Sam helped keep up another Little Free Library in Ellicottville. “I offered to rebuild and maintain the library, but the church preferred to leave it as is, so I decided to start my own.” Her friend, Carey Welch, painted the library bold, bright, and colorful with the words Dream, Explore, & Read. The little girl in the paintings is inspired by Carey’s daughter Simone. The library is located at 6545 Maples Rd in Ellicottville, NY.
Readers are invited to ‘take a book, leave a book’ to spread the love of reading to anyone who visits the library. Sam enjoys finding books at library book sales, garage sales, as well as her own personal library and keeps the Little Free Library well-stocked with a variety of books that cross ages and genres. She keeps the inventory interesting, with stickers and ‘blind date’ books (wrapped books for an element of surprise). Sam is always looking for donations of gently used newer books to stock the library. You can contact her at bookstagramsam@gmail.com for more information.
Sam appreciates how reading can bring people together. Strangers that may have never talked before, but by discussing one common book, they have bonded, and many continue that bond throughout their life. “I have made the most amazing book besties on Booktok and Bookstagram from all over the world, just through chatting about our recent reads and never-ending TBR (to be read) pile! Readers get to experience different worlds, take on new perspectives and appreciate different time periods. “Not only is it an escape, but it brings the readers to different places and times, without needing to leave home. I also think the best thing about reading is that it is subjective. Each reader will feel something different and have a different experience and see the story through a different set of eyes. This is why I started my book club, to have these discussions and get other perspectives!”
In addition to the Little Free Library, she has an extensive collection of books in her own home. “I have a never-ending TBR collection and then I have my shelf trophies of books I’ve already read. I don’t prefer one genre over another; I’ve come to appreciate most genres so I don’t get burned out on any specific one. If you ever want any book recommendations, you can follow me on Instagram at @bookstagram_sam_.”
If you would like to learn more about Sam’s business, EVL Events, visit evlevents.com.