Children’s library established in Linn County Courthouse to engage, entertain kids

CEDAR RAPIDS — Many times, parents going to the Linn County Courthouse to sign documents, see a judge or for another reason may not have day care, so their children tag along, but it’s not necessarily a fun place to spend time.

Leslyee George, a court clerk in Marshall County for 24 years, recognized a courthouse can be a “sterile or boring” place for kids, said her son, Ryne George, 36, of Cedar Rapids. So she started taking books to the courthouse for kids.

First it was a few books from home, then shoeboxes of books. It quickly grew into a small library as other court clerks and officials started contributing to “Les’s Library.”

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George said he didn’t know about his mother’s library until after she died on April 7 last year. She was 65 and had planned to retire at the end of the month after decades serving as a court clerk. Second Judicial District Judge John Haney told George at his mom’s visitation about the “incredible” children’s library she started at the courthouse.

“In this moment of sadness and grief, there was this silver lining that I found out,” George said. “I went over to the courthouse after that to see it. She never told me about it, which is like her.

“She was a single mom — hardworking and stubborn — and she loved kids and had a soft spot for kids having struggles,” George added.

His mom saw the parents bringing in their kids and she knew, as a single mom, day care was tough to get and many of the situations the parents were dealing with — signing divorce, domestic abuse, mental health or other legal documents — are stressful. They are trying to focus on the legal documents but also have to entertain their kids.

George decided to follow in his mom’s footsteps and wanted to bring a similar library project to the Linn County Courthouse. He knew the courthouse likely would be open to the project.

Iowa Court of Appeals Judge Mary Chicchelly, who previously was a 6th district judge, was contacted by Second Judicial District Judge Sharon Greer about George’s plans in Linn County. She asked Chicchelly to help him get permission from the Linn County Board of Supervisors and court administration.

Chicchelly also put George in contact with the Linn County Bar Association, which provided the first donation of $500 for books.

George, who is familiar with nonprofit fundraising as the community impact ambassador for Corda Credit Union, decided to set up a nonprofit, “Leslyee’s Library,” registered with the state and a board of directors, so people can donate money directly to library, which will have books for children ages 0-13.

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“I can’t tell you how many times I would come out of chambers (in Linn County) to see kids — it happened all the time,” Chicchelly said. “It’s going to be a welcome addition to the courthouse. There’s always kids running around, waiting on their parents, and nothing for them to do. It will be used daily. There were some kids around when we were putting up the bookshelves. Now they will be able to sit down and read — such a good distraction.

“His mom had such a cool idea to see it as a need,” Chicchelly said. “Ryne is such an impressive young man.”

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Casey Rigdon, president of the board of governors of the Linn County Bar Association, said he was happy to help and “thankful someone thought of this and are making things better” for the community.

“I hope they continue to reach out to us for consideration of a donation in the future,” Rigdon said.

George said his employer, Corda Credit Union, behind his back as a surprise, did a book drive, raising $275. Employees also donated books, which he thought was “really special.”

Leslyee’s Library is located in the main lobby of the courthouse, near the long wooden tables.

Anyone interested in donating to Leslyee’s Library can go on nonprofit’s “Give Butter” site: givebutter.com/leslyeeslibrary

Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com