Benfield Elementary’s Little Library Replaced After Vandalism

Fifth-grader Ben Carlin asked the question every Benfield Elementary School student wanted answered: “Why the heck did you do that?” In May 2025, the school’s security camera caught five teenagers crossing through the playground area before two of the teens kicked the students’ little library from its post and broke the glass. Installed in 2017 by Benfield’s Parent Teacher Organization, the library served students who chose to read a book during lunch or recess.

“Our students were concerned that the vandalism had left them without books to read,” said Susan Myers, principal of Benfield Elementary School. “Many students asked questions about why the incident occurred and expressed confusion and disappointment. Students love being able to read at recess. Not all like to run around, or sometimes a child has a broken limb and cannot play in games and they need something quieter to do.”

Bob Sartwell, community outreach chair and incoming president of the Rotary Club of Lake Shore – Severna Park, routinely connects with area principals before new school years to offer assistance. The club was established in 1947 and has served the Severna Park and Pasadena area ever since. Myers let Sartwell know about the vandalism and noted the timing of their correspondence was perfect.

“After being informed of the problem, we ordered a replacement library, treated the components with weather proofing and a coat of primer,” Sartwell explained, adding that after the new library received its custom paint job, he returned to the school for its installation.

Ben, a student artist, was asked to transform the primed little library into something “cool.”

“I wanted every section of the library to be different,” he explained. “I made one side the Maryland flag because we live in Maryland. I made another panel of popular children’s book characters for the pre-K to third-grade students, and then my last panel was for everyone and had Benny the Bulldog, who is our school mascot.”

With its vibrant design, the new Benfield Elementary little library was installed mid-June, just in time for students to enjoy during the waning days of the school year. Myers said the students were especially excited to see the new library because they knew one of their peers designed and painted it just for them.

“The finished library makes me feel good because I am proud of it,” Ben said. “The students think it’s very cool and are excited to read a book (outside) again.”

Sartwell said, “Literacy is a primary focus of our club. This is even more important now with the increase in social media in kids’ lives. We offer any school in our area a little library that wants one.”

To learn more about the Rotary Club or inquire about a little library for another school, go to www.rotarycluboflakeshore.org.