Under the cover of a small awning in the back of Salem Hospital’s Community Health Education Center (CHEC), something unexpected waits — a Little Free Library that that isn’t very little at all.

“We think we may be the first in the nation — maybe the world — to have a Little Free Library within a library,” said Paul Howard, health system librarian. “Furthermore, we think this is maybe the biggest Little Free Library out there.”

The little awning, built to reference the shingled book-sharing boxes often installed street-side, gives the shelves their own identity. But it’s also a subtle nod to the CHEC, which offers shade and solace to our community and employees through education — via classes, events, support groups and now, free books.

Take a book, share a book

The Little Free Library offers fiction, nonfiction, health titles, children’s books, DVDs and a growing Spanish-language section. Nearby, there’s a cozy corner for kids. Signage draws visitors further in.

“People come in when they find out what we are and what we offer, and they're like, wow, I had no idea,” Howard said.

The idea came from a staff huddle. They wanted to draw people into the CHEC, a place often overlooked despite its wealth of resources. They initially imagined a traditional Little Free Library outdoors — in a classic, weatherproof box. But maintenance concerns shifted their vision inside, where they repurposed a quiet back wall.

“It’s like the grocery store trick,” Howard said. “You put the milk in the back so people walk past everything else.”

They added an awning and a sign. And then they filled it.

Books poured in — extra titles from the CHEC and Salem Public Library and donations from staff and community members who wanted to carry their stories forward.

“We've had people donate books after losing a loved one to breast cancer,” Howard said. “They come in and say, ‘We want these to help someone else.’”

Howard reviews every book before it’s placed on the shelf. The goal is usefulness, relevance and care. His hope is, in the age of algorithms, printed tomes might offer something special.

“There’s something to be said for scanning a shelf and discovering something you weren’t looking for," he said. “Social media tries to surprise you, but it doesn’t know what you don’t know you want.”

Imagination Library

The Little Free Library is open to all. And it’s part of CHEC’s broader mission. They recently partnered with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to help families enroll in free monthly books for children from birth to age 5, mailed right to each child’s home. Visitors can sign up right at the CHEC’s front desk.

“This should be on billboards in every city,” Howard said.

At its heart, the biggest Little Free Library continues what the CHEC has always done — create a shelter for learning.

Paul picks

Looking for a new book for fall? Who better to ask than a librarian! Here are a few of Howard’s favorites:

• All-time favorite: “The Three-Body Problem” by Cixin Liu
• Best book he read this year: “North Woods” by Daniel Mason
• Currently reading: “The Name of the Wind” by Patrick Rothfuss