Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Preston Reid, left, and Buffy Brandon stock their family's Little Free Library, a neighborhood book exchange, in honor of their loved one, John Scott Brandon.
CLOVIS — Great storytelling, illustrations and humor aren't just qualities that make up a good book. They're things people associate with John Scott Brandon.
Although Brandon died in October at age 42, he still leaves his mark in his hometown of Clovis. His mother, Judy Brandon, decided to honor her son by giving back to the community with something she knew John Scott would love: books.
Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that fosters more than 50,000 neighborhood book exchanges around the world. According to the Little Free Library website, the concept is to "take a book, return a book."
With the help of her daughter-in-law, Judy Brandon set up her own book exchange through the organization, establishing Clovis' first known Little Free Library less than two weeks ago.
Her husband, Charlie, built the quaint structure that now stands outside their home along the 900 block of County Road 13, also called Wilhite Road.
Passersby can easily spot the bright red, schoolhouse-shaped box, with its tin roof and weather vane, sitting atop a sturdy white pole. The commemorative symbol reads, "In Memory of John Scott Brandon."
Behind its non-shattering glass doors, the weatherproof library can hold up to 75 books, each one offering a message.
"We stamped in each one of them," Judy Brandon said, "'This is a free book in honor of John Scott Brandon. Don't feel like you have to return it; pass it on to somebody else.'"
Reading and drawing were some of John Scott's passions, Judy Brandon said. She can still recall the book her son wrote and illustrated in fifth grade.
"The name of the book was 'Always in Trouble,'" she said with a laugh. "I still have it; it was so precious."
Judy Brandon stocks the library with a little something for everyone — books about heaven, stories about Harriet Tubman and American history, classic kids' picture books, and more — all donated or ordered online.
"We wanted to share books that are uplifting, good and clean, and encouraging," she said.
Judy Brandon said the books will "leave you with a smile on your face," much like her son used to do.
"John Scott was always the best storyteller," said Annie Reid, John Scott's older sister. "Nobody could make me laugh like he could."
Reid supported her mom's library by donating books that mainly deal with faith.
"I believe that my sweet brother is in heaven, and I'll see him again one day," Reid said. "Now, heaven has a whole new meaning to me."
Judy Brandon agrees, and said she finds comfort in books about faith.
"Without our faith," Judy Brandon said, "there is no way we could get through the loss of (our son)."
It seems faith plays an important role in the library, given what occurred the day after it was erected.
Noticing the library's first visitor, Judy Brandon went out to introduce herself to the woman picking out books for her kids. As it turns out, the woman was a family member of one of the three airmen killed in the recent crash of a Cannon Air Force Base aircraft on March 14.
When the two began talking, Judy Brandon discovered the woman had also lost a brother who was a heart donor; John Scott Brandon had died while awaiting a heart transplant.
"It was just so meant to be," Judy Brandon said of their encounter.
Judy Brandon now sees about three to four visitors per day, but she hopes her library will continue to grow and impact the community.
"There's so much craziness and darkness going on in the world today," she said, "that something just as simple as a storybook with a good lesson can help a person's day."
