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Little Free Library Honors Crash Victim, Expands Book Access in Zoar

| June 4, 2026

Courtney Wallace, Bolivar Branch supervisor, and Zoar Mayor Tom Klingaman stand with the newly installed Little Free Library. Photo provided by the Tuscarawas County Public Library.

NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (June 4, 2026)  – Tuscarawas County Public Library and Zoar officials are now honoring a late community volunteer while expanding access to books through a new Little Free Library.

Library spokeswoman Megan Kovalaske-Grimm says the latest book-sharing box has been installed at Kristy Gaynor Memorial Park – named in memory of the parent-chaperone who died in the crash with the Tusky Valley charter bus in late 2023.

This was made possible through a partnership with Zoar Mayor Tom Klingaman and Fiscal Officer Emily Hayes.

The installation marks the sixteenth Little Free Library the county system has placed since 2016, part of an ongoing effort to promote reading and encourage community sharing.

These small stations are designed to encourage residents to “take a book and leave a book.”

The program uses donated and discarded books to reach readers in outlying areas of the library’s service district, with support from local partners.

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