Little Free Libraries have become fairly common around Austin and Mower County, but an Austin funeral home is taking a slightly different approach with its version.

Used in a borrow and return capacity for anybody looking for a good read, Worlein Funeral Home is using its little library as another way to help the grieving as they deal with loss.

“This will get our resources — grief and loss resources — out to the public better,” said Mary Kittelson, community services director and preplanning consultant.

The little repository, built and painted to be a smaller version of the Austin chapel of Worlein Funeral Home, sits just off the main entrance, flanked by two benches. It will be filled with brochures and pamphlets and even CDs, all geared to helping the public deal with the loss of the loved one.

“This is a good resource,” Kittelson said. “There are those that are grieving and don’t have a grieving support unit.”

While containing different material than the usual Little Free Library that is available to the public outside schools, public places and even homes, Worlein’s version is still similar in that people can donate those materials they maybe don’t need anymore.

“Maybe they have books at home they don’t need where they think, ‘Maybe I can help those that are grieving,’” Kittelson said.

Among the various materials that Worlein will offer will be copies of the DVD “Embracing Grief,” which was produced in conjunction with KSMQ; a number for Worlein’s 24-hour help line; and bilingual resources in Spanish.

Worlein staff will also be able to change out items on a seasonal basis in terms of helping people in getting through the tough holiday season, perhaps the first without a loved one.

Worlein’s Little Free Library was provided by the Mower/Freeborn County chapter of Habitat for Humanity. The funeral home got word that a new batch of libraries were being assembled and so they contacted Brent Johnson, Habitat for Humanity community development coordinator. He informed them that these new libraries were being organized through a group of YMCA employees and members.

“They were looking for a way to give back to the community,” Johnson said. “They had a couple options — redoing furniture for the ReStore or the Little Free Libraries.

It was a perfect fit given that owner Paul Worlein is an active member of the YMCA board.

“It was a great idea,” Worlein said. “I can foresee this being used a lot.”

This also works well with Worlein’s attempts each year to do a community service project, which is also fundamental in its participation with the Pursuit of Excellence program through the National Funeral Directors Association.

Worlein’s Little Free Library, painted by artist Sandy Jones, is currently ready for use after Johnson mounted it on its stand last Thursday.

For the staff at Worlein, they are just hoping this is another step in helping people cope with loss.

“There are a lot of people out there that don’t know where to turn when they need help,” Kittelson said. “I think the first time I see somebody pull up and use it, it will just be worth it.”