Lily's Library is Valley's answer to Libros Schmibros

Gary Platt, 86 years old and retired, has put up a community book exchange and lending library on the curb in front of his house in Woodland Hills. Lily's Library is named for his granddaughter. From Dana Bartholomew in the Daily News:

"Please enjoy this library," reads a sign on the waist-high bibliobox at Rudnick Avenue and Miranda Street in Woodland Hills. "And feel free to read or contribute books that you feel others will enjoy."

The 86-year-old retired maker of chairs for slot machines has brought smiles to his neighbors ever since he and his wife, Tut, moved into their corner home in 1949.

Thirty years ago, he plopped down a cast-iron wooden bench for the seniors who plodded up the hill by his house. The sidewalk bench looks out on Miranda.

Then passers-by asked him to lend a hose for their thirsty dogs.

So 15 years ago, Platt added a water fountain with a stainless dog bowl.

Of the reading material, Platt says "the neighbors needed it. It's just something I had to do." Platt, as it turns out, grew up in Boyle Heights, which happens to be the location of Libros Schmibros, probably the city's best known community book exchange.

Daily News gallery | Photo by Andy Holzman