PORTSMOUTH — They are the tiniest lending libraries you’ve ever seen. They use no staff and they’re propped on poles.

They’re known as “little free libraries,” and the newest one was installed Sunday outside the CFP Arts, Wellness, and Community Center in Common Fence Point.

The job was spearheaded by 16-year-old Tim Lopes for his Eagle Scout project. Tim built the box with a little held from fellow members of Troop 82, with Dan Davies of National Grid acting as his Eagle advisor.

“It’s a little box that’s filled with books. People can come up to it and exchange books so they can get new ones, or get their own to different people,” said Tim before installing the box Sunday with some help from his dad, Ed Lopes; his friend, Gavin Craig, 16; and Mr. Davies.

“The original idea came from my mom, because she likes to take walks and she’d see different library boxes in different neighborhoods, and she thought it was a great idea. We live in North Falmouth during the summer, and she sees a ton of them there,” said Tim. 

Although there were already a few library boxes in Portsmouth — Baker Road, Woodland Drive, etc. — there are “none in Common Fence Point so far,” said Tim. 

To raise money for the project, Tim organized a fund-raiser at the Portsmouth Portuguese-American Citizens Club. The club donated toward the cause, as well as Blake Construction, he said.

“As part of the Eagle project, he had to collect the money and set this all up. He’s responsible as the Eagle leader to do all this,” said Ed Lopes.

Mr. Davies got Tim in touch with Conley Zani, president of the Common Fence Point Improvement Association (CFPIA), which runs the hall. She suggested the location, which is right along an entrance to the parking lot. Following her request, the Scouts also added a watertight slot for CFPIA brochures, as well as a shelf to make it easier for visitors to fill out forms.

Not just for books

Mr. Davies pointed out that the library is not limited to just books.

“One thing about these libraries is you can actually make it into a small food pantry; you can put canned goods in there if people in the neighborhood need anything. You can put movies in there; we’re going to put DVDs in there for entertainment. It’s a community outreach-type program,” he said.

You don’t need to return items to the box, but users are asked to leave something behind. It’s all about “paying it forward,” said Mr. Lopes.

Although some library boxes have elaborate designs — the one on Baker Road “is kind of artsy,” Mr. Davies said — this one has a simple look and color scheme that matches the decor of the CFP hall.

The small work crew on Sunday was already creating a buzz about the box, as drivers along Anthony Road slowed down to take a better look.

“We’re hoping people will walk by and say, ‘Oh, what’s this new thing?’ and come up to it out of curiosity,” said Tim.

To find registered library boxes near you — or for tips on how to create your own — visit https://littlefreelibrary.org.