Homestead South HOA Puts the Brakes on Little Free Book Project

A man was stabbed and a child was shot in the Homestead neighborhood last week, sparking fear and anger among residents. While many are concerned about safety, the local homeowners association (HOA) seems preoccupied with a different issue: the rejection of a community-oriented initiative.

Anjelic Garza recently proposed a “Free Little Library” outside her home, aiming to encourage book sharing among neighbors. However, the Homestead South HOA denied her request, citing concerns about communal access. “The board denied this as it could be added so that the entire community would be able to have access to it,” said Jennifer Jenkins, a representative of the HOA.

This explanation has left residents puzzled. Critics argue that a free library is inherently designed for community use. Adriana Holmes, a local resident, remarked, “They obviously don’t know what a free library is if they don’t think it’s for the entire community. So ridiculous.”

LittleFreeLibrary.org, the organization behind this initiative, promotes the installation of these libraries worldwide, with over 175,000 reported locations. Similar free libraries can be found throughout neighborhoods in Maricopa, exemplifying their role in fostering community engagement.