Little Queer Library Waltham marks fifth anniversary

With its cheerful rainbow exterior, drivers can’t miss the Little Queer Library Waltham as they travel along Trapelo Road.

The mini barnlike structure with a gambrel roof is one of thousands of members of the “Little Free Library” nonprofit organization whose “mission is to be a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers and expanding book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Library book-exchange boxes,” according to its website.

The city location is a resource that has a specific mission: “To provide new and lightly used LGBTQAI+ books for free to the Waltham, MA, community and beyond,” according to its website.

LGBTQAI+ stands for “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (one’s sexual or gender identity), intersex and asexual/aromantic/agender.”

Krysta Petrie built the eye-catching structure for her wife, Katie Cohen, after Cohen said she wanted to “do something that gave back to the community” during Covid.

The library is about the size of a large microwave and sits atop a post. Cohen and Petrie, who say they are “stewards” of the library, curate the titles, most of which they buy at independent bookstores with their own funds and give away for free.

After all of their hard work, they are pleased that their Little Library is hitting its fifth anniversary.

“I think it’s crazy that we made it to five years,” said Cohen.

Facing bigotry

While many appreciate Cohen and Petrie’s dedication to creating and maintaining the Little Library as a neighborhood resource, others took alarming steps to express their contempt.

At first the couple offered books with and without a queer connection, before deciding to dedicate the library to works with a link to LGBTQAI+ subject matter and/or creators.

While initially they received positive feedback, by 2022, people were leaving disturbing messages and anonymous religious letters and/or specifically taking books written for children and young adults. Petrie estimated that $1,000 worth of books were taken in one month.

“It was a hard time,” recalled Cohen. “We were really demoralized … and nervous and scared.”

Feeling on edge, Petrie said they were constantly looking out their window. They installed security cameras and worked with the Waltham Police to try to catch the thief or thieves.

Law enforcement found a person with bigoted views who was responsible for at least some of the disturbing letters and the couple ultimately took out a restraining order against that person.

When word got out about the harassing notes and thefts, Cohen said people sent supportive letters that “ultimately [proved] the community really embraced [us]. … I’m happy that we’re still able to be here … and pass out hundreds of books to people that need them.”

Looking toward the future

Using their own money, Cohen and Petrie aim to continue providing free books to the community on a variety of topics, including self-help, sci-fi, history and graphic novels for kids, to name a few.

Petrie said now that the Little Queer Library Waltham has hit its five-year anniversary, she and Cohen have several goals for the next five years.

The couple would like it to be incorporated as a nonprofit and “continue to be a resource within Waltham.”

Doing all the repairs herself, Petrie said she hopes one day the structure could be enlarged to fit more books. To include additional titles, the couple also needs more space for storage. The two want to improve tracking and involve more people in volunteering to run the library so that it continues.

“I’m glad that we’ve been here for the last five years to provide LGBTQAI+ literature to the community,” said Cohen.

For more information on the Little Queer Library website. To visit, point your GPS to 1054 Trapelo Road, Waltham, MA, 02451.