Cathy's Little Free Libraries in Globe, Arizona

Last week, we were in Globe, Arizona, and the surrounding area and found two delightful Little Free Libraries, both of which were dedicated to the life and memory of Cathy Sanchez-Cañez (also listed as Catherine "Cathy" Eileen Cañez). She died at age 52 on July 22, 2019, during a flash flood in Globe. 

Cathy was a special education teacher who spent most of her career working with students in the Globe/Miami area. There is now a Cathy Sanchez-Cañez Foundation and other regular community efforts in her memory. This past April saw the publication of Teacher from Heaven. Its description states: "Aubrey is a kind and thoughtful girl who loves her hometown of Globe, Arizona. From learning to read with her teacher to spending time with the people she loves, Aubrey knows that in her small town, little moments matter. Teacher from Heaven is a warm and loving story about family, friends, and loss. ... This story shows how one person’s kindness can live on, even after they are gone."

And there are the Little Free Libraries. According to an article in the March 31, 2021, edition of the Copper Country News, there are four of them, including one at Miami Veterans Memorial Park. (We visited the locations at Leonard Paul's Pizza and Globe City Hall.) What a wonderful way to keep her memory alive with the sharing of books!

The Copper Country News article states: "The mission of Cathy’s Little Free Library is to promote literacy and the love of reading, foster a sense of community and connection, and create a lasting memorial to Cathy Sanchez-Cañez. The campaign began as an idea last year and with the overwhelming amount of love and support from so many, it has now become four unique libraries that have circulated more than 400 books into the community. ... Each library was constructed by family and friends who donated all materials and time to build them with love. [Globe] Mayor Al Gameros hand painted each library specifically for the area they are placed. He said the Miami one was special to him; born and raised in Miami, Mayor Gameros is a Vandal and Cathy Sanchez-Cañez spent the last few years teaching at [Miami Unified School District]."

Here are some more photos I took.

We left many more books than we took at the two libraries last weekend, helping in a small way to keep them freshly stocked (and to keep Resimplify Me going strong). We did snag an old Encyclopedia Brown paperback for nostalgia's seek and, oddly, a DVD of Them! an old science-fiction film I'd been thinking about lately. I'm looking forward to returning to Globe and Miami to continue restocking Cathy's and other Little Free Libraries.

Recent related post: Little Free Library in the Catalina Foothills