NILES — In a way, Nikki Metz said she is thankful for the three acts of vandalization that troubled the launch of her free book initiative, one her 7-year-old daughter, Emme, enthusiastically supported.

It taught Emme a valuable lesson, Nikki said: “Bullies don’t win. Even though there might be one bad person, they shouldn’t ruin it for everybody.”

One vandal’s act did not ruin the Metz family’s plans. They are preparing to reopen Em & Ben’s Free Tiny Book Treasury to the public with a security system, watchful neighbors and a host of supporters at their 617 N. 13th St. home’s front yard.

The Metz’s story began a few weeks ago, when Nikki became inspired while on vacation in North Carolina. She came across two Little Free Libraries, which are small spaces housing free books that are often placed on posts, mailbox-style, in public areas.

Emme liked the libraries, too. She walked past one most weekdays at Eastside Connections School in Niles.

So, the two decided to create a free book dispensary of their own.

“We looked at them on Mommy’s phone, and we found something like a house, and we really wanted to create it,” Emme said.

Nikki and her younger sister decided to combine multiple Little Free Library designs to match Nikki’s idea. Eight hours of shopping and building, and four hours of painting, later, the treasury was ready to be drove into a post, anchored and opened.

On the afternoon of Monday, Dec. 2, the treasury debuted, named after Emme and her little brother, Bennett. The Metzes supplied the treasury with books they had saved to originally be donated. They also offered a guest book, a hook to place a dog leash, dog treats and candy canes. A wooden box was placed a few feet away on their front porch, offering a space for community members to place book donations.

Within hours, the first act of vandalism hit. The door was left open, books were thrown on the ground and the bowl of candy canes was stolen.

The next day, neighbors found the treasury’s books on the road and sidewalk two blocks down, stickers signifying their former home still on the inside cover.

On Wednesday, Nikki awoke to find the door ripped off its frame and books all over the ground. She had not told Emme about the two past vandalisms, but a treasury without a door was unavoidable.

Emme was heartbroken. She asked her mom to check the treasury’s guest book to see if the perpetrator signed their name.

The tide of emotions would soon change, however. With prompting from friends and supporters, Nikki launched a GoFundMe campaign to purchase a security system. By the end of the day, its $300 goal was surpassed by $10 thanks to 16 donors and 192 GoFundMe page shares.

The security cameras came in Saturday, and Nikki said she plans to use extra money earned to officially register the treasury as a Little Free Library, bringing her small house-shaped book abode to an international audience through an online database and interactive map.

Emme is excited for the treasury to open again.

“People get to explore which books I have and what my brother has,” she said.

“And people that don’t have books can have books,” her mother added.

The treasury is a continuation of Nikki’s passion for books. When she was a child, she would lock herself in her bedroom, sit in her closet and read for hours.

She saved her childhood books, written by authors from Laura Ingles Wilder to R.L. Stine, to share with her children.

Now, Emme loves to read, and Bennett loves to be read, too.

Soon, the Metzes will share their mutual love once again with a community.