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NORTH ATTLEBORO -- There is a motto at the Richards Memorial Library - "Books Open Doors." This month, there are also little doors that can open the big world of books and imagination.

More than 30 "fairy doors" are tucked on, above, below, in and among the books and shelves around the North Attleboro library, the result of a whimsical project by library staff and patrons. The doors revolve around childhood books and themes.

An article about similar doors magically appearing in local shops in Ann Arbor, Michigan this year, led the library to launch its own project. But the thresholds to fantasy and whimsy are not new at the library, which last year saw patrons scanning for small scenes from Alice in Wonderland amongst the collections, said reference librarian Maggie Holmes.

Holmes herself created several of the miniature doorways now on display, which you'll find if you're looking for them (think small), including one stylized on the Sherlock Holmes series. One doesn't have to be a sleuth to figure out the connection with "221B" over the distinctive white door trimmed in black, replete with a tiny brass knocker. The door, of course, is located in the mystery section.

Various materials were used for the creations. In one, for example, silver foil is used to depict a futuristic theme for a door described in the style of "Star Trek meets The Jetsons meets Barbie," fashioned with blue and aqua-colored "jewels" with a small door handle comprised of what appears to be a section of a chain-link watch band, crafted by staff member Marjorie Johnson and tucked on a shelf in the children's room. A more recognizable favorite for wee ones might be the miniature versions of three famous doors; one fashioned in straw; another of sticks and

another made to look like bricks. A small plastic pig is poised to enter the doorway of sticks. Staff member Eunice Franklin created the trio along with others.

Inspiration for the doors came from memories of childhood, doll houses and a variety of literature, said Holmes, who also constructed a door based on Winnie the Pooh "who lives under the name of Sanderz in the Hundred Acre Wood." It includes a little school house-type bell with a little sign "RNIG ALSO" above it. It's appropriately located in the threshold of the children's section.

Or there's her "Mrs. Tiggywinkle's Door," based on Beatrix Potter's hedgehog laundry lady; the stucco-like background with a balsam wood door, some greenery and a tiny filled white laundry sack and a couple of brightly-wrapped gifts on the doorstep. "My mother used to call me Mrs. Tiggywinkle," Holmes explained.

Karen Dugan, a professional artist and illustrator of children's books, designed a door that initially was planned to look like it was made of gingerbread. But it's baked bread dough appearance lended itself more to "a little Red Hen type of house," with little wheat stalks tucked at the sides, Holmes said the of the small door atop a mantle.

Marjorie Johnson, a staff member, chose a book on time travel involving a cave in the Scottish Highlands as the theme for her miniature door. Using foam board painted the gray shades of a cave, she added bark with lichen from trees to give it an authentic look.

There's a doorway to the world and books of The Hobbit, created by Eunice Franklin, which is decked in greenery with a small plastic milk bottle and tiny gold-wrapped gift on the doorstep, with an inviting little round brass knocker.

Patron Karen Ross too had a hobbit-like inspiration, adding a tiny troll with green hair to her creation.

The gate to the Emerald City from the Wizard of Oz was staff member Janet Jordan's contribution - it's a pop-up. (Hint: Look up in the lower level of the library.)

There's also a wood-burnt door inspired by a recent trip to Prague in the Czech Republic, created by Paula Parrish. Imagination isn't just tucked in the shelves, but along the base of walls so that even the smallest of library patrons can find a magical door in the form of "mouse holes."

Doors have made their way into a couple of local businesses; Curves of North Attleboro and Yarn It All, and Holmes hopes the idea will inspire others, suggesting that perhaps local businesses can sponsor doors or make their own for display and be included in the library's booklet, available to anyone who enters the library, and on the library's Web site which includes pictures of each doorway on display. The library's Web site is RMLonline.org; click on the link to "December Doors."

"There are so many doors that are associated with books that we were inspired to create them - especially books from our childhood," Holmes said. "We haven't run out of ideas yet, so we will continue to do this next year."