A local Boy Scout recently built a new Little Free Library for Federal Way residents to enjoy, while also honoring the legacy of a Federal Way woman who served the community through gardening and friendship.
Dustin Cole, 16, recently built the little library near the Panther Lake Trail in Federal Way to earn his Eagle award.
The Marine Hills Garden Club is dedicating the library to Caroline Liddell, a long-time garden club member and avid reader. She served the Federal Way Symphony Garden Tour Committee for 13 years, and also served as president of the Federal Way Women’s Club.
Liddell was an eclectic reader, said garden club member Radhika Kumar. She enjoyed everything from poetry to popular fiction — and was a member of two book clubs, including the Federal Way Women’s Club book club.
Liddell died from cancer at the age of 93 in May 2021. To honor her service and devotion to the Federal Way community, the club had the idea of building the little library.
The club, made up mostly of senior citizens, reached out to Boy Scout Troop #336 for help. Cole, who wanted to earn his Eagle Award with this service project, took on the challenge of helping the club.
Cole is a high school student taking Running Start courses in Engineering and math at Highline College to earn his associate’s degree upon graduation.
Before embarking on the little free library project, Cole checked out several little free libraries in the city and decided on a design build that was robust and would withstand the weather and other hardships. Several troop members and parents helped bring the little free library to life.
Cole’s hobbies include woodworking and robotics. The little free library is one of many community service projects Troop #336 troop have completed, many in and near Federal Way.
Cub Scout Michael Hutchinson started a book drive to help stock the little library.
The Caroline Liddell Little Free Library dedication ceremony is 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 10 at the Panther Lake Trail (550 SW Campus Drive).
Boy Scout Dustin Cole next to the Little Free Library near Panther Lake Trail. Courtesy photo
