A Small Library with a Big Heart: Kinley Macknin Gives Back to The Gathering Place

Ten-year-old Solon resident Kinley Macknin has transformed her family’s experience with cancer into a meaningful gift for others: a new Little Free Library at The Gathering Place’s Beachwood location.

Kinley worked alongside her father, Jonathan, to build the library, install it and fill it with books. The Gathering Place recently celebrated her donation with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Kinley’s family, friends, neighbors, The Gathering Place staff and even her dog, Scout.

Little Free Libraries operate on a simple “take a book, leave a book” principle. Anyone may select a book for free or add one for someone else to enjoy. Found in communities around the world, the small book-sharing boxes are designed to expand access to reading, encourage people to share stories and bring communities closer together.

Kinley said she was inspired by the idea of placing a library somewhere calm and peaceful, a description she felt fit The Gathering Place perfectly. 

The library also reflects Kinley’s own love of reading. When asked to name a favorite book, she chose The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli, a humorous children’s story about a crocodile whose imagination runs wild after he swallows a watermelon seed. Beneath its humor is a familiar childhood experience, the way a small worry can suddenly feel enormous, and the comfort that comes when fear gives way to reassurance.

For Kinley, however, the project represents much more than a love of books. It is a personal way to thank an organization that has become an important part of her family’s life.

The Macknin family first learned about The Gathering Place after Kinley’s mother, Elle, was diagnosed with breast cancer. A social worker at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center recommended the organization as a source of support.

Elle shared that one of the most difficult parts of receiving her diagnosis was determining how to tell her daughters and help them cope with the emotions surrounding cancer. Clinical staff at The Gathering Place walked the family through those conversations and introduced them to Children & Family programs where the girls could have fun, meet other children affected by cancer and better understand their new reality.

Now that Elle is in remission, the Macknin family remains closely connected to The Gathering Place. Kinley and her sister, Aubrey, have participated in summer camps and other children and family programs, while the family continues to volunteer and support Race for the Place, the non-profit’s annual fundraiser. Proceeds from the event help ensure that all of the organization’s programs and services remain available free of charge to anyone impacted by cancer.

During the ribbon cutting, Adam Ross, interim CEO and Chief Development Officer of The Gathering Place, thanked Kinley and her family for creating another welcoming point of connection for the community.

“There’s not a day that we don’t see someone taking a book,” Ross said. “One of the big things for us is that you’ve created another touchpoint for community, and we’re forever grateful.”

Recognizing that cancer affects the entire family, not just the person receiving treatment, The Gathering Place offers professionally facilitated support groups, one-on-one support, movement and exercise, nutrition education, expressive arts, educational workshops and social opportunities for children, teens, young adults, parents, caregivers and loved ones-all completely free of charge.

The library reflects the spirit at the heart of The Gathering Place - people supporting one another through shared resources, meaningful connections and small acts of kindness. Each time someone selects a book or leaves one behind, Kinley’s gift will continue to offer comfort, enjoyment and a reminder that no one has to face cancer alone.

The Little Free Library is located at The Gathering Place East, 23300 Commerce Park in Beachwood.