Thieves empty out Little Free Library in Buchanan

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Christmas is still more than a month away, but a couple of Grinches have already been busy in Southwest Michigan, emptying out Little Free Libraries.

Just ask River Saint Joe in Buchanan. The brewery’s own Little Free Library was totally emptied out this week.

Restaurant manager Shawn VanKampen tells us the owner noticed the thievery on Monday. It was all caught on security camera.

“A lady got out of her car and walked up to the Little Free Library and opened the door and waved to whoever else was in the car,” VanKampen said. “She got an armful, started walking it back, put it in the back of her car.”

Then a man from the car took all the rest of the books from the Little Free Library. VanKampen says the same suspects have been seen cleaning out Little Free Libraries around Indiana, Niles, and Buchanan lately.

River St. Joe isn’t calling the police, seeing how the books in Little Free Libraries are supposed to be free, but VanKampen hopes the culprits see themselves on the news and feel ashamed.

Well, it’s very disheartening for the community. This is something that we have here for everyone to enjoy. We’re grateful that the community has restocked the Little Free Library for us.”

VankKampen says, fortunately, the Buchanan community and customers came together quickly to put new books in the Little Free Library. If anyone wants to contribute another book or two, she’s always taking them.

If anyone recognizes the pair who removed the books, they’re asked to remind the duo that taking all of the books from a Little Free Library is not how they’re supposed to work.