The Northern Michigan Constructors, a student organization dedicated to community service projects throughout the Marquette area, built an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant little free library and installed it last week next to the Kids Cove all-inclusive playground at Lower Harbor Park. The group's effort earned the "Project of the Year" award at NMU's Leadership Recognition Banquet held earlier this month.
“Many have claimed to have ADA free libraries, but you can't really get a wheelchair underneath them,” said Northern Michigan Constructors President Lincoln Klinski. “Our whole design concept was to have two posts–one at each end–rather than just a single post in the middle. That makes it possible to pull a little wheelchair underneath it and get close enough to open it and reach in easily. It's the perfect height for any child because it only has one long shelf and is wider rather than taller.”
The library has four doors with large handles to grasp. It features hand-painted flowers and dragonflies–the latter is the theme of the playground–created by Nheena Weyer Ittner, chair of the Playground for All Committee. The students collaborated with her to match the surrounding visual aesthetic. The library is located near a sidewalk between the playground and the Lower Harbor Park restroom facility.
Barb Coleman, retired NMU professor and member of the Playground for All Committee, attended the installation. She said she was proud of the students' commitment and dedication to the project.
“They were constantly professional doing this, making sure everything was just right,” Coleman said. “With this playground, we've removed all of the barriers to all kids being able to play. And now we have a little free library that has removed all of the barriers associated with getting to it, opening the doors and reaching books from a seated position.”
According to its website, Northern Michigan Constructors is a club and community service organization made up of dedicated students of the construction management program. The student-led chapter utilizes its estimating, planning, building, leadership and communication skills to develop and maintain community partnerships while striving to create a positive impact with each project.
