ST. LOUIS — A small outdoor bookcase was filled up just months after readers were stopped by vandalism in south St. Louis.
Brenda Morrison was doing better than she was back in March when someone set fire to her Free Little Library in Bevo Bill.
"A lot better. Look, a new library. A community came together and helped me. It was overwhelming actually," she said.
When nothing was left of the bookcase inside the Sebilj of St. Louis park grounds on Gravois Avenue, 5 On Your Side shared Morrison's story on air to let people know what had happened.
"Within probably ten minutes. I had 10 emails and messages and texts saying what do you need. We're here to help you," she added.
Morrison has been pouring into others for the last ten years making sure kids and adults in the neighborhood have access to books.
Others returned the favor.
A neighbor donated the teal metal cabinet now adorned with pride which Morrison painted to reflect the Bevo Mill community
The bookcase also has some new tweaks like this solar light.
There are more than 150,000 registered Little Free Library book-sharing boxes in 120 countries worldwide. According to the organization, only about 20% deal with some sort of vandalism.
"It's not going to get us down. We keep rebuilding. We're going to show people that books are important for everyone," Morrison said proudly.
The new bookcase has a piece of burned book stamped on it as a reminder that the mission will continue.
Free Little Library encourages people to repair or rebuild their bookcases as soon as possible, add light like Morrison did, make it personal by showing pride and assigning watchdogs to help prevent problems.