FLORISSANT, Mo. — A free library box for children was broken into and had all of its books destroyed on Monday, leaving neighborhood children angry and confused in Florissant.
The local library is run by Mary Sullivan. It looks like a large mailbox full of books to share, which Sullivan started outside her home in 2018.
She's a retired ICU nurse now facing her own medical challenges.
Her most frequent readers are upset after their down-the-street library was damaged, especially considering why they love stopping by Sullivan's house.
"I like books and because they're fun," Brody Devenbaugh, a fourth grader at McCurdy Elementary School, said.
Another one of Sullivan's neighbors, 12-year-old Aaron Austin, said he likes going to her library instead of just the one at school or in town because it's "saving time and money probably."
Sullivan moved back to her home on Manor Drive in Florissant after living in California for 35 years. Once she was unpacked, her first goal five years ago was to get a free library up and running.
She keeps a collection of handwritten notes thanking Sullivan for giving the neighborhood children books and supplying the popular stories like Harry Potter or even self-esteem books they request.
Inheriting her childhood home, Sullivan said connecting with the students makes her day. It's something much needed after the former emergency room nurse became the patient herself.
"December 20 of last year I was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, early on-set," Sullivan said. "These kids keep me going. I can't tell you. They make me smile so much and they're just so kind and sweet. They're mad. They're mad about this library getting messed up."
Monday morning, Sullivan saw all of her books thrown on the ground. They were ruined by the overnight rain. Sullivan has had to temporarily close her doors because of the incident until after the holidays.
"That was sad and horrible," Devenbaugh said.
"It's a little sad. Whoever did it, why?" Austin added. "I come here a lot and stuff like that. It's just messed up."
A friend of Sullivan's has now installed four security cameras to keep a better eye on the handmade box full of books.
"I'm not playing," Sullivan said. "I'm not playing."
Sullivan added that another free library had its glass shattered recently in Florissant near the St. Ferdinand Shrine. She hopes the damage to these book exchange boxes stops soon.
If you would like to donate relatively new books to Mary's free little library, you can email her at: 2lilacacres@gmail.com. Especially if they are in the history, science, math, fiction or self-esteem genres. Sullivan will come pick them up right from your door.