Ottumwa Regional Health Center to Open New Little Free Library Inspired by “Stories for Mayzie”
November 09, 2026
By Raquel Alderman
OTTUMWA, IA- (October 27, 2026)– Ottumwa Regional Health Center (ORHC) will celebrate the opening of a new Little Free Library at its Primary Care Clinic on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 12 noon. The community is invited to join ORHC Primary Care Clinic at 1009 Pennsylvania Avenue in Ottumwa for the opening.
The new library was inspired by Stories for Mayzie, a Little Free Library created by Ari Cassady in Bloomfield in memory of Mayzie, the daughter of Erika and Ricky Wilson, who was stillborn on August 10, 2026.
Cassady, a close friend of Erika, originally came up with the idea as a surprise following the loss of Mayzie. Wanting to do something meaningful to honor Mayzie’s memory while giving Erika something positive to look forward to during an incredibly difficult time, Cassady combined Erika’s love of reading with the idea of creating a Little Free Library outside Cassady’s home in Bloomfield.
After learning about the project, Erika embraced the idea and became involved. With help and donations from friends, family and members of the community, Stories for Mayzie quickly grew beyond its original goal.
“Being able to keep her memory alive is something that we really are striving for, so that she’s not forgotten,” Erika said.
The overwhelming community response to Stories for Mayzie inspired Cassady to approach ORHC management about creating a separate Little Free Library at the ORHC Primary Care Clinic. Cassady and Erika have worked together to bring the new library to life, with support from friends, family members, coworkers and the community.
The Primary Care Clinic library is not an additional Stories for Mayzie location, but rather a separate project inspired by the original library and the impact it has had on the community.
Like other Little Free Libraries, the concept is simple: books are available for community members to take home and enjoy, and people are also welcome to donate books to others. The new library will provide another convenient way for patients, families and community members to discover and share books.
ORHC is proud to provide a home for the new Little Free Library and to help carry forward the spirit of generosity, connection and love of reading that inspired the original Stories for Mayzie project.
Little Free Library Opening
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
12:00 noon
Ottumwa Regional Health Center Primary Care Clinic
1009 Pennsylvania Avenue
Ottumwa, Iowa
Community members are invited to attend the opening and help celebrate the new Little Free Library. Attendees are also encouraged to bring a book to donate or select a book to take home and enjoy.
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About Ottumwa Regional Health Center (ORHC)
Ottumwa Regional Health Center is a 217-bed hospital that has served Ottumwa, Wapello County, and surrounding southeast Iowa communities for more than 130 years. The hospital provides a broad range of services, including emergency care, medical and surgical care, critical care, acute rehabilitation, obstetrics, pediatrics, and specialty services. These include cardiac catheterization, diagnostic and therapeutic imaging, wound care, pain management, sleep studies, pathology, and more. Ottumwa Regional Health Center is committed to its mission of Making Communities Healthier® and providing compassionate, high-quality care close to home. For more information, visit www.OttumwaRegionalHealth.com.