Little League ball players rally for burned library

Regina’s baseball community is encouraging others to step up to the plate to help rebuild a prized community gathering spot after someone set fire to it early on Canada Day.

The Free Little Library has been a longtime staple of the Normanview neighbourhood, offering free books to passersby on McCarthy Boulevard, provided they leave a book in return.

It was built and maintained by Darlene Krauss and her husband, Martin.

But on Monday, Darlene posted on Facebook that the couple got a 4 a.m. wakeup call at their door. Firefighters told them the little wooden book house at the front of their yard had been torched, books included.

Now, the North Regina Little League is pitching in to help the couple with rebuilding it.

Regina firefighters were called to douse a fire at Darlene Krauss’ Free Little Library on McCarthy Boulevard on July 1, 2019. (Normanview Residents Group Facebook page)

It’s hosting a book drive Wednesday night at its clubhouse to help restock the new little library.

Audra Langton is with the league, and is the main organizer for the restocking event.

“It was just devastating,” she said of first learning about the fire. “It was really disheartening to know that people would do this to a community member who does nothing but give back.”

Langton said lots of Little Leaguers and their families have been using the give-and-take community book box, including her own sons.

“My boys both play baseball, and my oldest (who’s 13 years old) is a big reader and always has been. When we’re travelling to baseball tournaments, he always reads in the car … In that way, it kind of touched me,” she said.

Her family goes through a lot of books, and donates them when they’re finished with them.

“We have the kids wheel them over there in the wagon, and visit Darlene and drop off the books over there,” Langton said.

Langton said North Regina is hoping to get a good amount of teen and pre-teen books from the book drive.

“It’s just basically the community helping the community,” she said, adding that the league is following the Krausses’ lead by giving back.

The book drive goes from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the league’s clubhouse at 750 Pasqua St.