The big TARDIS reveal has landed. On a chilly morning in Historic Downtown Ellicott City, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced the opening of the TARDIS Little Free Library, making its first stop in Tiber Park.
First stop? Yes, first stop, because this is no ordinary Little Free Library. Not only is it bigger on the inside because it is a TARDIS, but this is bigger on the outside because it will travel all over Howard County. It is, in effect, a time- and county-traveling reading machine.
[For the unitiatied, the TARDIS is the time machine and spacecraft central to the wildly popular British science-fiction show Doctor Who. Its name is an acronym for “Time and Relative Dimensions In Space.”]
“Typically nestled in neighborhoods or tucked beside trails, there are nearly 50 Little Free Libraries throughout Howard County,” said Ball, known to be a superhero, fantasy and science-fiction fan. “But with a few sonic screwdrivers, a touch of ingenuity, and a lot of heart, our Recreation and Parks team has created one that can travel. This TARDIS Little Free Library will journey across Howard County, making stops at parks, schools and community centers.”
Noting that books are in essence their own time machines, “no time vortex required,” Ball encouraged everyone to share the spark of imagination that comes with books that have inspired them.
Reading “is the closest thing we have to real time travel – that you know of,” Ball said. “When we share stories, we share connection, we share hope. We pass along a book, and we pass along a piece of ourselves. And when we read together as families, as neighbors, as Whovians, we build a community that is indeed bigger on the inside.”
Recounting the wise words of the fourth Doctor, “There is no point in being grown up if you can’t be childish sometimes,” Ball invited all to step inside the TARDIS to grab a story and travel wherever their imaginations take them.
Ball opened the door to the TARDIS to reveal a large white interior with shelves for books, ready to be filled by community members to share and take, passing along the gift of reading.
Alli Krist, co-owner of Backwater Books on Main Street just uphill from the TARDIS, was also on the scene of the opening. She noted that when she and co-owner Matt Krist opened their bookstore in 2022, they were surprised at the number of people craving literary activity of all sorts.
“Open mics, book clubs, writing groups all formed because people want to share what they’re passionate about, what they’re reading, what they’re writing,” Krist said. “People are connecting with one another through books. Books are powerful. They show us who we are and who we could be. They build new worlds and teach us about our own. By providing access to free books the county is building community through literacy.”
So, we cannot let the Doctor down, can we? Bring those books sitting unread on the shelf to Tiber Park on Main Street, or step up to the TARDIS to grab something new to you or allow a child to choose and explore. If all else fails, there is always Backwater Books up the street for people feeling generous enough to contribute a newly bought item to the Doctor’s TARDIS Little Free Library.
How long will Tardis stay there before moving on and how do we know where it goes next?