What a great way to encourage reading at a local level - and they are so fun and ALWAYS open!!! :-) We've had a LFL for about 10 years. We have so many generous readers stop by to donate that we are able to reallocate books to LFLs in our city that are in areas called book deserts. Win/win/win.
The Finger Lakes Land Trust is a non profit organization that is doing amazing work to preserve green spaces in and around the Finger Lakes of New York. Through donations they identify and purchase land that is important to keep undeveloped then convert it to preserves for recreational activities that are open to the public. I am fortunate to live next to their Lindsay Parsons Biodiversity Preserve in West Danby, NY. My wife and I walk our dogs in the preserve daily and meet old friends and new regularly on our walks. I was in the process of making a Little Free Library when I came across and read Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer. In it she extolled the importance of Little Free Libraries and reading it made making our library that much more special. You should read Serviceberry by her. The Finger Lakes Land Trust and Little Free Library are serviceberry non-profit organizations and i am happy to be associated with them.
I decided about 10 years ago that I wanted a little free library in front of my house. I didn't want to build one, I wanted to upcycle something fun. I poured through habitat and house-recycle places to see if I could find something that could withstand the weather and keep books dry. I really had no idea what I was specifically looking for and then I found it. Its an old refrigerator unit meant to display pies in a diner.It sits inside my picket fence in the front yard so that folks walking by can walk up to the fence and simply open the door.
I live a block away from an elementary school and get many parents walking by or parking at my house to drop off kids. Most days, moms and dads stop by with younger siblings in strollers after drop off to check out what the library might have for them. Throughout the day, neighbors from near and far walk their dogs - or just themselves - by my house as I live on a quiet street near a park.
I love sitting in my livingroom and overhearing people talking to one another at the library. I can peek out my window and see them through the trees. Adults, older kids, grandparents with little ones. Sometimes while I am working in my garden out front I can have short conversations with patrons. I have often been told, "We love this little library," or "this is my kids' favorite little library."
Whats especially sweet about these interactions is that they aren't thanking me or giving me a compliment. They are remarking on the little box itself and the life it has separate from the person who put it there. That's all I did. I put a box there all those years ago, filled it with a starter group of books (upper shelf for adults, lower one for kids) and stepped back. I tend to it - maybe once a month.
What the Little Free Library Association has done is offer an idea to the universe - an invitation. No pressure and no cost. "Offer books to the community." You don't even need to pay for these books. Its like sourdough. Once its "built" it just needs to be fed occasionally to live on. And most of the time, it isn't even me that needs to feed it. That's what's so wonderful about it - what makes it truly a community asset - the community tends to it. People leave books, people tidy it, people foster its use with their children, with visitors from out of town, with the patrons that might stop by later in the day/week/month. This little free library belongs to all of us. It just happens to be on my property. I might own the pie cooler that houses the books but I don't own the library. My neighborhood is our library. Its kind of like the notion that a church is not the building, but the community that comes together there. Little Free Library #29045 has a life of its own, I just host it at my little picket fence between the birdbath and the red beech tree.
This, I believe is the strength and beauty of the Little Free Library association and movement. There really are no rules other than "share." You can make it look and operate however it pleases you. It will likely just motor on by itself with little oversight. It will bring people together and provide a valuable service. And then they've set up a way for the stewards of these little boxes to come together and support one another - still in a very organic, self-fulfilling and self-propelling way.
I so love having Free Little Lending Libraries in the neighborhood as I'll never run out of books to read or to ones to offer.
I recently bought the dog bone library to make the dogs in the hood happy.
Such an amazing concept and its caught on so well.
I do wish there were one that was glass on all sides so that I could have one to offer transplants.
Little Free Library champions access to books in a friendly, hyper-local, no strings attached way to help spark reading joy for people of all ages, colors, interests, locations, skill levels! Little Free Library boxes become a focal point in neighborhoods for building community and initiating and growing deep human connections, one block at a time, that become wider and more meaningful through the years. If just one book a day is shared through the registered Little Free Library network as it exists today (200,000+ boxes), a staggering 73,000,000 (that's Million!) books are shared each year...That is a lot of reading, sharing, connecting, and community building going on! The organization has a huge impact through these little boxes and I couldn't be prouder to be a part of it and support the work being done.
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Little Free Libraries have been an integral part of my life since 2018, and I'm such a believer in the mission that I now serve as the Little Free Library national Board Chair! My journey started as a passion project to share books with my neighbors. But within the first week it was immediately apparent the primary beneficiaries of my book exchange boxes were the unhoused in my Chicago community. They told me how thrilled they were to have access to books again, shared their stories of having to give up books as they moved from place to place or slept rough, and eagerly shared book recommendations with me! How can you not want to do more when you see such a direct impact? So I was inspired to start up a literacy nonprofit, donating and helping manage Little Free Libraries to ensure there is unrestricted book access in underserved neighborhoods across the city. More than 200+ libraries later, I can wholeheartedly say it is the people and the communities I've gotten to know and worked with that are the most fulfilling part of a Little Free Library project. These little boxes bring neighbors together, create a sense of belonging and community, bring generations together, become a catalyst for so many creative activities, and help build literacy and leadership skills right on the block where people live! I'm extremely proud to serve on the Little Free Library Board and encourage everyone to support your own local Little Free Library Steward and neighborhood...you will be quickly hooked on sharing books and building community!
I've always wanted to be a librarian, but life had other plans for me. I had given up on my dream job when I first saw a Little Free Library. It was everything that I could have ever wanted - a library of my very own, where I could choose the books - be they diverse, controversial or even banned, and share my love of reading with the entire community! I just received a kit to create my LFL, and I simply cannot wait until it's all ready to go for opening day! I appreciate how supportive this non-profit is of the diverse, international, LGBTQIA+ communities and makes no qualms about it! The company assists its members, and gives them all the tools that they would need to be successful as an LFL owner. Thank you for providing us with this terrific opportunity to be a valued and trusted member of the community!
Everyone that I have communicated with through social media and by phone and email has been helpful and courteous. The two LFLs that I've received have arrived in wonderful condition. This local community is proud to be host to these streetscapes, book exchanges.
I've received more scarves, perfume and body lotion for birthday gifts than I could ever use, even if I live to be 100. But a few years back my family wise up and gave me a Little Free Library. What a life-changing gift! Who cares if I'm not accessorized perfectly or smelling like roses -- instead, I get to chat with neighbors, feed biscuits to neighborhood dogs, and share the joy of reading with all the kids who stop by every day. I LOVE THIS GIFT and I love being a LFL steward.
The Little Free Library in my yard is so much fun! I meet many of the new families in the neighborhood this way. I enjoy restocking the books and changing them out for holidays and the seasons. It's hard keeping the box full at all times...which is a good thing! That means there are lots of young readers nearby, who will hopefully keep up the reading habit for many years to come!
While I know walking 10,000+ steps per day makes me feel fabulous, the actual joy of stopping by multiple Little Free Libraries along the way is my fuel. (I didn’t grow up walking much, due to safety concerns from parents.) It’s a wonderful feeling knowing that someone may be equally delighted by the books I leave.
I started volunteering for LFL a few weeks ago and i'm so happy I did. It feels amazing to be a part of such a great organization. Not only do LFLs help to spread literacy, they also help to build community. It's such a great and easy way for people in town to connect through their love of reading. Im so glad I volunteered for this cause and so proud of what i've accomplished through it.
Little Free Library is an amazing organization that promotes literacy and book access to everyone. It offers an element of choice as well for anyone looking to pick up something different to read.
As a LFL steward, I'm continually impressed with the communication and resources this nonprofit provides, and the efforts to engage communities worldwide. Since most LFLs are found in neighborhoods, parks or schools -- they serve as a meeting point for people of all ages and walks of life. While these community-driven book exchanges offer books, they also provide hope, an opportunity for knowledge and perhaps a love for reading.
My experience with LFL is a steward and volunteer -- by collecting books, distributing and organizing LFLs around the Dallas / Fort Worth metroplex. Flexibility, purpose, and goal alignment are some of the reasons I volunteer with LFL.
Donating to Free Little Libraries has had a positive impact on me by allowing me to share the joy of reading with others while fostering a sense of community. Knowing that my donated books could inspire, educate, or comfort someone else has been incredibly fulfilling. It has also encouraged me to be more mindful about literacy access and how small acts of generosity can make a difference. Seeing these little libraries filled with books that I contributed gives me a sense of connection to those who find value in them. Ultimately, this experience has reinforced the importance of kindness, education, and giving back in meaningful ways.
I serve on the Board of Directors for Little Free Library, and am so pleased to support the mission of this organization which holds dear to me. Book access is something that should granted to all, as reading is instrumental in education and learning, vocabulary expansion and spelling, inspiration to reach new heights beyond where one is, and so much more. Reading is truly the key to prosperity in a number of ways, and Little Free Library serves as a vessel to make book access a reality for all.
I am proud to be a Little Free Library steward for years and now, a member of its board of directors. Little Free Library is more than the wonderful book-sharing boxes that inspired its founding - it's an organization dedicated to book access and literacy for all! This national, St. Paul-based nonprofit provides free library boxes to areas with little to no book or library access, encourages stewards to ensure their libraries share books from diverse authors that represent their communities, and partners with Indigenous nations across the country to place libraries and culturally relevant books to their communities. As a lifelong reader who cares about my local community, I support the work of Little Free Library!
We heard about the Little Free Library program several years ago and promptly signed up to be stewards of one on the sidewalk in front of our house in San Francisco. Given the arrival of Valentine's Day, it is fitting time to express my appreciation and affection for the Little Free Library organization. Our Little Free Library has become a neighborhood gathering spot, both for the exchange of books and conversation with our neighbors. On January 18, San Francisco city government recognized LFL's in a community ordinance entitled, "Love Our Neighborhoods", making all Little Free Libraries free of all previously applicable permit fees. In is hopeful that this will encourage more Little Free Libraries to spring up. San Francisco just became a little kinder due to the power of Little Free Libraries to unite neighborhoods, encourage reading and education. At each step along the way, the drive to adopt the ordinance has been assisted and furthered by the Little Free Library organization in Minnesota, particularly by the efforts of Margret Aldrich and Greig Metzger. Their frequent communications with Little Free Library stewards through out the country has been appreciated and valuable to us and, I'm sure, all other library stewards.
My husband and I feel privileged and honored to be stewards of a Little Free Library at 2418 Pine Street, San Francisco, CA. We have received moving messages from neighbors expressing how the library has benefitted their lives (especially during COVID) and is appreciated far beyond our expectations.
My journey with the LFL org started when I passed a LFL on a walk to a friend’s house. It was a replica of the little yellow house in front of which it was planted. I noted the name of the LFL organization on the charter plaque and googled it when I got home. I immediately wanted one and was so happy when my husband agreed that we should plant one outside of our home. He and I met as English teachers and he went on to become a Librarian after we both studied LMS in grad school. We dedicated our first LFL to our moms, Ruby and Rita, who instilled the love of reading in us. That was just the beginning. With the help, guidance, and support of the LFL organization, and The Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc., we have facilitated the planting of 34 LFLs (and counting!) in the Baltimore County area of Maryland since Christmas 2020! The LFL organization promotes diversity in reading with their Read In Color initiative, supports Indigenous communities with their indigenous library program, creates more access to books with the donation of posts, ground screws, legs, and charter number plaques for those in need and so much more. I could go on and on about the positive, community- building, literacy-increasing, equity-focused work of this incredible organization. It is the most self-less, powerful, game-changing organization I am aware of, and I work for a NP! Thank you, LFL organization for all that you do. You are changing lives and communities for the better and I am grateful to be a small part of your impactful movement.
Promoting literacy has always been my passion! While our local library is a wonderful resource for the community, the nearest bookstore is over an hour away. I decided to place a LFL in my front yard in hopes that friends and neighbors would have easier access to a variety of titles. MY LFL has only been up and running for a few months, but I have already seen quite a turnover in children's books. It is exciting to see people in my neighborhood enjoying and utilizing this resource.
I've been so glad to work as a steward for this organization. I put up the library in July, only 8 months ago, and already we've had hundreds and hundreds of books enter the community. It's clear that many people know what this is and how it works and I think the popularity of the organization is a huge asset to its success, but it's also been a pleasure to get to explain it to those who have never heard of it, and are so delighted that it's here and a part of our little gritty neighborhood.
I became aware of Little Free Library (LFL) and their efforts to make access to books easier for communities, especially those who are “book deserts,” many years go and knew that someday I would steward one. After retiring from education/librarianship, I noticed that a LFL in our local mall appeared abandoned and with its prime location right outside the indoor play area/activity center would be a great place to give parents and kids a reason to grab a book. I am now the steward of this library and know by the number of books I must restock weekly that it is well-used! And now that it is being used, I am also noticing an increasing tendency for others to leave their no-longer-needed reading materials in the box as well! The unit is designated Read-in-Color and I make certain that a diverse titles for preschool-adult are available and even label with target age group to make selecting titles easier. I believe that our Title I community really benefits from LFLs and hope that more libraries are added.
Sharing is an important part of life...my little free library gives me 365 daily opportunities to share and the joy is never ending! Thanks, I feel blessed to be a part of this program!
I am a steward of a Little Free Library and is has been an amazing experience! I have gotten to know so many neighbours in my community as the library is accessed by multiple people daily. Not only does it promote literature, diversity and fun, it is such a community builder. The Little Free Library organization is so helpful and supportive of our literacy and diversity goals.
~ Lisa B, Ireland Drive Little Free Library Steward, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
The first time I saw a Little Free Library I was awestruck. I knew right then I wanted one of my own. I found out there was a group that provided support and the deal was done. The community Little Free Library provides is outstanding.
A dear friend built my library and my fun began. My “special” thing is to include books signed by the author.
Absolutely love LFL! I am a steward of two different libraries - one on a college campus and one at our local YWCA. They both get so much love and attention from the community.
Little Free Library has helped me share my books with my community. Back in the day we didn't have much money. I discovered a couple LFLs in my area and grabbed a couple books. I did some research on the organization and realized I could help others enjoy reading too. We set up our very own LFL and frequent all the new LFLs, too!
I am proud to serve on the National Board of Little Free Library. From comfortable, charming beginnings it has blossomed into an organization committed to addressing literacy for all. It puts its money where it is needed to provide books for the underserved and less priviledged. The Read in Color, and Impact/Indigenous Libraries Programs help place Little Free Libraries where they are most needed at no cost to the communities.
Joining the Little Free Library (LFL) organization has truly been a pleasurable experience. I want to first highlight how the varied background and skill set of the members of the board make for great discussions. Their vantage points give rise to deep and courageous conversations around book access for all. Our mission and vision are the following: providing 24/7 book access, fostering new Little Free Libraries, granting Libraries to high-needs areas, championing diverse books and working with key community partners. I am proud to represent and serve with a group of volunteers who continually uphold this mission and work hard for all people to have equal access to books.
We have a Little Free Library just a block away. Our LFL was egged by kids in the neighborhood. We ended up donating enough books to replace the ones that were ruined and then some!
I ran across a Little Free Library during the pandemic shut down. I realized this was a solution of how children could access books when they lived far from public libraries and schools were closed. I have placed 4 LFL in lower economic areas. This organization shares my belief that every child deserves a chance to love books.
Hello!
I am a Little Free Library keeper #80870 in La Marque, TX. My library is actually dubbed the "Little Free Tiki Library" because it is perched on top of a carved pole and has an awesome tiki shape. It is brightly colored with real cedar shingles and gets decorated for every season.
In addition to the library I made a chair to relax in, planted an oak tree for shade, it is all watched over by an 8 foot metal dinosaur named Stanley (who also dressed for each season), and nestled close by, to amp up the fun volume, a geocache, rated a favorite many times over in the Geocaching.com community.
But of course I am a doting LFL manager. What makes my library the joy of the neighborhood are all the people that stop by and leave notes on the chalkboard and write in the log book. Kids ask for their favorite kinds of books and I love the look of delight when I find it and put their name on it in the LFL and the realize it is THEIRS. I have made so many friends and met so many neighbors by making my love of reading and literacy a fun and approachable concept for everyone.
To further the cause, I have made another LFL for Station 47 in the Houston Fire Department, my mom one for her house in Aransas Pass, TX, and I helped my sister make hers for their house.
I am actually building a new one to replace the Tiki Library because the Tiki hut is getting a little worn from the traffic. Also, I have another one in the plans because the other firefighters at my fire station want one for our considerable foot traffic. Readers are leaders!!
Our church is in an area of mixed income folks and just a few blocks from our local elementary school. A little free library was a perfect addition to our parking lot, with flowers surrounding it. Kids books especially go fast!
Our next step is to put a bench next to it this summer!
Little Free Library is an amazing organization! My husband and I share the story and the incredible success of LFL with folks who stop by our library to browse or pick a book or drop off a handful or a bag of books. I saw my first LFL across the street from our niece's home in Seattle. When we returned home we did some research on line and learned the story of Little Free Libraries and found out how to become involved. My husband gave me my Little Red Barn Little Free Library for my birthday and we set it up in May of 2020. Since then, we added the "Goose House" annex for children's books. At the beginning, the Stewards Only FaceBook page was a big help in guiding us in caring for the LFL. It is a rare day that two or three new books don't appear and books zip in and out rapidly. We tracked numbers for the first few months and realized it would be a full time job keeping track. It seems that the LFL has become self sustaining. Neatening it up is a daily joy, seeing what others have left to share. It helps to build community as we often chat with neighbors and strangers who stop to browse. We have noticed since the pandemic over 10 new Little Free Libraries have appeared in our town. We hope we helped spread the word!
I started my LFL in 2019 and absolutely love being a steward for people in my community. Not only do i steward my personal LFL but I also unofficially steward two other LFLs in my community that are located in public spaces. I'm also on the board of directors for the friends of the library of my local library where I help my local library. Books and reading are such passions of mine. I love that LFLs help people in all communities get access to books.
I began my LFL in 2021 and I've loved being apart of this community. My neighborhood is full of kids and its a joy to see them frequent the little library.
LFL is such a fantastic organization! They have helped me provide books to Native American children in very remote rural areas. I love the special programs they feature to foster peace and diversity. I am so thankful to this organization.
LFL donated a library number to us and in 2014 we started a library in the Kyangwali Refugee Settlement in Uganda. We hope to add more books to this library and start a new library in our adult school which is also located in Kyangwali. Our library number is 4996.
< https://www.peopleweaver.org >
It is vital to us that families not just see themselves within all of the materials we share , but see how they can be celebrated. Our team at Brilliant Detroit, and our families are honored to work with Reading In Color with Little Free Libraries to assure this is not a goal but a reality in neighborhoods in Detroit. Our partnership is a direct way to not only expose our children to literature they can connect to, but an ongoing and sustainable way to engage our community in each of our Kid Success Neighborhoods."
Each Little Free Library is a functional work of art. I have enjoyed every moment of putting up over 300 libraries in neighborhoods where we know children are not likely to have access to books.
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I live in an area with a large population of people affected by poverty. Little Free Library provides my community access to books for all ages. There are a few Little Free Libraries throughout my town. Love them so much!
Little Free Library worked with my organization, Access Books Bay Area, yo being the Read in Color program to San Francisco. What an amazing program, and what amazing dedicated staff who are making it all happen! Despite them still being a pretty small organization, they are making a huge impact!
As an advocate for amplifying underrepresented stories and a Board Member of Positive Charge! PDX, I'm extremely grateful for what Little Free Library is doing worldwide! We are very fortunate to be able to partner with this organization to not only help launch new Read in Color libraries in our community, but to continue to distribute diverse books to our stewards so that more diverse stories can be circulated! Every single person in the organization I've had the pleasure of meeting or communicating with have been super responsive and helpful. It is clear that they absolutely embrace the very important mission of building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access.
Our org has been a steward for over 3 years and LFL graciously allow us to be one of their partners in the Read in Color program; and we couldn’t be more grateful! We believe in LFL’s vision and mission and are so excited for what’s to come!
I am the manager of a campground in Jasper Tn for the last 21 years. About ten years ago I decided a LFL was need here at the campground. I searched everywhere for a unique display for books. The picture added show two LFL, one on right was first one. It was painted black and never was an old clock but looked like it. Perfect fit. We sanded all the black then covered the beautiful wood with waterproofing. It wasn’t long before I found another clock looking future kids LFL. One of my talented daughters painted it, it’s beautiful. So these are located at our bath house so everyone in the campground comes past them. I’m so happy to read everyone’s posts and sometimes reply. I love this opportunity to tell my story here.
All She Wrote Books partnered with Little Free Library for the launch of its Read In Color program in Boston during 2020. They were not only an amazing partner to work with, but also connected us with another great non-profit (826 Boston) to help us with the distribution of the books to free little libraries throughout the greater Boston area. We truly love working alongside LFL, and hope to see them continue their Read In Color efforts across the U.S.
Everybody Wins DC has loved working with the Little Free Library organization's Read in Color initiative. I have particularly admired LFL staff's skill at balancing the need for unifying structures/resources with deep respect for the context of local communities. Just a great all-around team!
Little Free Library is an absolute pleasure to work with. Not only are all staff kind and considerate to our employees, but they also always ensure they are buying diverse books for their events. I have been involved in their Read in Color initiative and I have nothing but nice things to say!
The Little Free Library Network is doing the real work of putting diverse, inclusive, beautiful stories in the hands of those who need it most. As a partner I am honored to partner with them to close the gap and carry this mission forward. We believe stories can change the world and they are changing the world one little free library at time.
We are grateful that the Little Free Library Ltd brought the Read in Color initiative to Detroit. The children in Detroit have been benefiting from their work since the start of program. We were delighted to be part of the effort by supply the books that the Little Free Library donated to Brilliant Detroit. Their book choices are great and we often carry the books in our store. The orders helps us as a small business as well as makes our work as booksellers more meaningful in our community. We feel very much apart of the program when we are invited to attend a Little Free Library virtual event. These days we supply our little library at the dog park across from our store, with more joy, knowing about the good work that LFL is around the country.
We are so grateful for our partnership with Little Free Library. As a local bookstore, Bookmans' mission to encourage childhood literacy aligns neatly with LFL. It made sense for us to support the nonprofit and our local little libraries in any way we can. We were thrilled when Read In Color approached Bookmans about further opportunities to collaborate. What a fantastic campaign! What impressed us most is how accessible LFL is for communities and how they constantly look for opportunities to engage and encourage little library Stewards; such as the gnome scavenger hunt. Our neighborhood came together to participate in the gnome scavenger hunt. How heartwarming to see a community joined by the goal of making reading more fun and more accessible to children!
Working with the team @ Little Free Library truly brightened our year! We love being able to bring books to our community that reflect the true diversity of our children + families here in Southeastern Michigan. In the midst of the pandemic LFLs brought the gift of literacy and much needed business to our community.
- Book Suey Team, LFL book partner and Indie bookseller located in Hamtramck, MI.
I appreciate LFL's commitment to community as seen with their Read in Color initiative and their choice to source books by ordering through local, independent bookstores. The end result is well-curated and diverse free libraries in underserved areas and support for small businesses in the area. As a partnering bookseller, LFL has been a pleasure to work with on an ongoing basis.
I'm so impressed with the team at Little Free Library. Their partnership helped us reach a wider audience, achieve some of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion goals, and put books in the hands of readers, which is something we love to see. I appreciate their willingness to look at problems in a collaborative way, and bring other organizations in. We are all stronger when we work together, and Little Free Library is a great partner in our work.
The staff is super responsive and supportive. I always looked forward to our meetings which were full of energy and mutual admiration. It is truly a pleasure to work with Little Free Library!
We have a Little Free Library near our office, and it has encouraged a lot of book sharing within our community! Residents love being able to take/leave books as they head to and from the train.
I have participated in the Read In Color program and it is a HIT!!!! I love the book selection and variety of stories being told. This collection has a different kind of energy in the way that it is received in my neighborhood. The books go really fast and sometimes get replaced by other great selections. No offense to Nora Roberts books, but I think that the quality and diversity represented in the RIC libraries changed the expectations of those who participate in using this fun resource! They are also engaging it in a fun way! Keep up the good work, LFL!
We need more of these around!
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Little Free Library (LFL) is a tremendous resource in the community! I have gotten personally interested in LFL after they launched their Read in Color initiative and I started seeing more diverse books in the libraries. The communities that I am seeing those new libraries have access issues to content that reflects the people in those communities. My daugher lit up when she pulled out a book and literally thought it was about her! It made her interested to have some commonalities with the protagonists and her excitement for reading grew! I almost daily read her a book that we got from the LFL but then she also is learning to contribute by donating some of her books to the LFL for circulation. LFLs are small insize but astonishing in impact. During the pandemic, I'd argue they are safer and more accessible than actual libraries and more cost efficient than book stores with more variety considering the new diverse selection. I drive around looking for these things now! Thank you LFL for the quiet ways you make a huge difference!
We are a micro literacy non-profit based in ATL, GA (www.read4unity.com) and Little Free Library is gracious enough to choose us as one of their partners as they launched Read in Color initiative in Atlanta in 2021! We are so honored to be a part of this amazing project in diversifying bookshelves in metro ATL. We are also stewards of 2 LFLs placed in refugee communities in Clarkston, GA. We look forward to fostering deeper partnership in 2022 and beyond. LFL has been amazing and we are so grateful to play a small part!
The Little Free Library has made a great impact on my neighborhood and far beyond. I am retired and can observe who stops by. I see a couple of people a day in warm weather - all ages. I also see cabs and Uber/Lyft drivers stop once in a while. Getting the information and stock for Read in Color enabled me to make more of an impact with POC in our area.
I am so proud to be able to provide the library and participant in the program and appreciate the support of LFL Ltd..
My husband built a Little Free Library for me and bought a charter for me as a Christmas gift just over a year ago. I had long been wanting a book box of my own and I LOVE reading and I think that the idea of sharing books with everyone who wants them is a great concept. I was given the opportunity by the Little Free Library group to be a Read in Color library and was given a pack of books to share with my community. The books are written by a group of diverse authors who tell stories that are out of the mainstream. I love that I have the ability to share some great books with my mostly plain white community.
In the fall of 2019, the Ontonagon Township Library recruited two local residents to design, construct, and erect three free book exchanges. The intent was to contact local businesses and organizations in the spring of 2020 to fund the registration fees and become official Little Free Libraries. However, the onset of COVID-19 derailed our plans. I contacted Little Free Library and was kindly directed to the application for free or reduced-price charter signs. After completing the application, our community was awarded three free charter signs! I cannot adequately express my gratitude! Our Little Free Libraries are located at our local Marina, Township Campground, and a park right on Lake Superior. They are so popular, we must restock them at least once a week. This is a great resource for our economically struggling community. Little Free Library is a thoughtful organization with a fantastic mission!
I moved back into the city with the promise from my husband that he would install a Little Free Library for me at our new home, thinking it would be fun to share my love of reading with my neighbors. I had no idea how much I would actually gain personally by becoming a steward. I have developed relationships with neighbors of all ages in front of that box, discussed and implemented other projects benefitting our community, pet all the dogs, and even formed a new bookclub. I owe a lot of who I have become in my new neighborhood to this charming non-profit. Little Free Library will always have a special place in my heart.
Little Free Library is an amazing nonprofit. They granted us a free charter for the LFL that we built for our neighborhood. It has been amazing to watch so many children, young adults and adults stop at our corner and share in the joy of reading. It has added so much joy to so many people.
Little Free Library is doing some wonderful new things around literacy for kids (on top of their flagship neighborhood library initiative), including their Read In Color campaign and their new series, Little Free Library Unbound.
The Altrusa of Highland County Ohio chapter has installed and maintains 9 Little Free Libraries. These libraries help us provide books to the community free of charge. As literacy is very important to us, we greatly appreciate the opportunity to partner with "Little Free Library Ltd"!
I acquired and updated a Little Free Library for my yard this past year. A family friend was getting rid of theirs so after a fresh coat of paint and a new stand we got to add this fun addition to our neighborhood. It was very easy to sign up on the Little Free Library website to have my library be listed on its map and become a library with an official charter number. Not only do they send newsletters and give me ideas for my library- they are very active on social media. I can learn all about new ideas and see fun libraries around the world. It was through their great social media posts that I found out the LFL nonprofit was starting a new program called "Read in Color". I really wanted to support this program and be involved because it is crucial to have diverse authors and representation. LFL took on this mission to bring more books and have greater access and inclusion to free little libraries. This program partnered with my local indie bookstores, specifically Black-Owned book stores to gather a very diverse and inclusive list of books. I applied to receive a free box of diverse books and was accepted. The communication and pick up for this box of books was very easy and safe. This was all amidst a pandemic and I was able to schedule a pickup time and LFL partnered with a local organization that had workers handing out these boxes to our cars. All of the workers were wearing masks and practicing Covid Safety guidelines. Once we got home and opened the box I was amazed at how many books there were. I was expecting a few but our box included so many books for all different age groups. There wasn't just kid's book, but all age-level books. Both non-fiction and fiction and covering a variety of genres. Many different BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) authors were included. We also got bookmarks and stickers to include in our little free libraries. I got to add a cling-on sticker to promote these books in my library and was encouraged to post about my books online. I still am putting books out and enjoying seeing which ones are taken and thinking about which ones to add next. This was a great program from a great Non-profit. My city was one of the first places to have this "Read for Color" program run and they sent out a very thorough survey afterward following up with ideas and comments to make this program better for more communities to come. I am very thankful to have this fun library in my neighborhood and to have this non-profit be so in tune with what our community needs. Many people have adopted adding non-perishable food and household supplies to their little libraries during this pandemic. There was such a movement for this that LFL came up with an additional boxed window you can add to your library to include these exact things. This non-profit is providing free reading resources to areas across the world and running inclusive programs for all communities. I am thankful to have this non-profit.
I’ve always visited Little Free Libraries in my travels. This past Christmas, my daughter and her husband made a beautiful LFL for me, complete with registration. It was fun to learn more about being a LFL steward. I have loved the LFL community. It’s such a caring group.
Six years ago, I started taking care of a forlorn LFL next to a grade school in north Minneapolis. It had zero books, was old and needed repair. A couple years later, the local police dept was donating 50 LFL, and our neighborhood acquired 6. Later, I joined the neighborhood association and then became Chair/Secretary. Throughout all of these years, I adopted all the LFLs and kept them filled. In joining the Association, I was able to acquire money to help keep them filled and to repair them as needed. We continue to have damaged libraries, well over 14 reports. I need to replace the plastic window often. It would be great if LFL could offer these replacements to order at a reasonable cost. I would also like to see a heavier duty hinge put on the doors. But, all together, the six libraries upgrade and fit well with our neighborhood.
I LOVE stopping by when I have a chance. My kids will now take a look in them to see if any books grab their attention. We try and exchange books when we pick up books. There are two we usually visit, but after we found a new box filled with books that fit more into their ages, they want to make this into another one of our monthly visit.
The City of Albuquerque has been working to expand access to books in our city, and Little Free Library has been the most supportive, dynamic, and generous partner we could ever ask for! The structure of their organization makes it easy for anyone to get involved in their work, and their program is one of the most successful ways to get books into the community. I am constantly impressed with how responsive they are to new needs in the world of book-access, such as working to expand their program into rural areas, reduce financial barriers to book sharing, and prioritizing equity and access in all of their programs. Their Read in Color initiative has helped fill a much needed gap in the accessibility of books by BIPOC and LGBTQ+ authors, and they have given our city's program a tremendous amount of support to create similar initiatives on a local level. Their team often supports our efforts with donations, discounts, and suggestions for innovation. They manage a wide variety of programs and are responsible for over 120,000 book-sharing boxes around the world, and yet they still make time to hear from volunteers and partners to learn more about how they can improve their work. On the ground, there are very few community programs I have seen that bring people together and build community the way Little Free Libraries do, especially during COVID-19. Little Free Library is an incredible organization at every level, and I can't recommend them highly enough!
My neighborhood in Minneapolis received a grant for building LFL's and I was lucky enough to participate. I've talked to many neighbors when they stop and check out the books I have. The recent addition of the Read in Color initiative is really awesome and Dancing Bear Chocolate, located in our community, is collecting diverse books to be distributed to our LFL's. The LFL's are a great way to build community and get people to read.
I have been a Little Free Library Steward for over 5 years. In that time our LFL has been able to share books with people of all ages, we have been named a Literacy Neighborhood and participated in the Read in Color initiative. We LOVE being a part of the Little Free Library network and love all the opportunities they give us as stewards to share with our communities a love of reading and a sense of literary adventure!
Little Free Library has helped us put 130 libraries on the map within the St. Petersburg, FL area and has been with us every step of the way for our project. We are so grateful for all their support.
Having a Little Free Library has meant a lot to my neighborhood. It has allowed residents of the group home across the street to access books during this pandemic. It has allowed the two POC families on our block to have books they will enjoy. We put ours up 5 years ago and it’s been a pleasure for us to provide the pleasure of reading.
Our community has grown since we’ve added our LFL especially over the last 6 months! It’s become not only a library but a pantry, a craft market and a plant stand! It’s an extension of our lives and a place to grow & explore in so many ways.
I was inspired to join the Little Free Library network, having seen many beautiful Little Free Libraries in neighbourhoods on my travels. The mission of the network is fantastic because, as we all know, reading really is the gateway to everything. The organisation is brilliant - offering a wide range of resources and support for Library Stewards - and the positive impact each Little Free Library has on its community is very impressive. I'm a huge fan of this nonprofit, and am proud to now be a part of this network - bringing the mission of Little Free Library Ltd to North Yorkshire, in the U.K.
I have been inspired by the Little Free Library movement to set one up in my village in England, where I share books with neighbours of all ages. It us much admired and has inspired friends in other villages to do start one of their own. People who ask me about it are always interested to hear about the origin of the organisation and I am proud to be a part of it.
I have always admired the cute little houses on stands I see around town and in other cities I visit and love to stop to see what gems I might find. I also always loved being able to drop a book knowing that someone else would be able to enjoy it. When we bought our new house it was a dream of mine to get our own Little Free Library. My school actually put one in before I could complete my own and I took great pride in checking it and restocking it with books for my students and others in the neighborhood each week. Finally, this summer my neighbor and I completed ours and I am so happy to report it has been a huge hit! So many people, some I know and see around town, or others I don't know but who see me outside my home, have commented have much they enjoy and appreciate it. The Little Free Library project has been so awesome and it is amazing to see how many countries around the world have started utilizing them. And in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, with most schools and libraries closed, Little Free Libraries have been a godsend for many to find books to read. We even had
Black Lives Matter theme in June and stocked it with Black authors. Our local public library has been adding books not just to the three they steward but to others around our community.
I just started my LFL this year, but the team at this outstanding nonprofit have been amazing in helping me get started. There are great, informative emails to look forward to each month, a strong social media presence that keeps me feeling connected to other LFL stewards, and contests and giveaways that help keep the shelves stocked. Honestly, I've been blown away by their efficiency and care as a leadership team. I'm proud to be a part of the LFL family!
Little Free Library is eradicating book deserts and changing the ways in which communities engage to enhance literacy. This organization far exceeds expectations and has a positive and direct impact that continues to grow!
The Little Free Library team has helped put books into the hands of people who need it most- all over the world. As cofounder of a literary nonprofit, I have had the privilege to work with the admin team and be connected to several LFL stewards all over the country.
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization has continued to inspire and empower people all over the world.
As an educator, a couple of years ago I won some grant money and used it to buy and install a Little Free Library in front of the 3 schools in our district. Some of our students live in an unincorporated area and don't have access to a public library. The Little Library was one of the only ways the students could get books throughout the summer once the school year ended and the school library was closed. Now with the schools, public libraries and stores closed for Covid-19, our Little Free Libraries are the only way students are getting books to read. We can barely keep it full. We are also using the Little Library to put curriculum materials in for students to pick up what they need to continue their remote learning from home. Our students, families and teachers are grateful for having the Little Free Libraries at this crazy time in our lives. What a great role the Little Free Library people are playing in the lives of schools and neighborhoods.
A friend who works at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian put out a call on Facebook to people who live or work on Native land to apply for a Little Free Library. I was fortunate to win one. I work on the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation at the public high school and my community service based club, the California Scholarship Federation, installed the Little Free Library by the US Post Office. We are a rural mountain community and most everyone gets their mail there. It has been a wonderful success! For a year now, I have kept the books flowing; my goal is to raise literacy and thus combat poverty. Now that we are in the middle of a pandemic, books have become even more important. Last week, I was able to fill it with young adult books for our students to read. I appreciate this organization more than words can say; it has been a true beacon of hope for our community.
Our very own Little Free Library opened for business in July 2019. The ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony was held in July to celebrate the grand opening of our new Little Free Library made possible by Monica Koenig, Senior Public Health Nurse for Yolo County.
Monica applied to Little Free Library, the national organization, on behalf of Fourth & Hope. It was good news when she found out that Fourth & Hope was awarded one of only 10 across the country for a special impact program in honor of the 10 year anniversary of Little Free Library.
We are thrilled to have this new addition added to our campus and are grateful for our partners at Yolo County Public Health. It is a way for our community to connect and help the homeless population. Just recently a local elementary school’s PTA donated 900 children’s books, which has put smiles on many little faces. Thank you!
Little Free Libraries have played a vital role in rebuilding New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Found in front of homes, stores, schools, churches, community gardens, police stations, parks, day care centers and nursery schools, they have helped neighborhoods restore a sense of community. In appreciation for the way Little Free Libraries promote literacy and the love of reading, every year teams of volunteers from the Friends of the New Orleans Public Library devote a day to filling all 200 Little Free Libraries in the city with a big selection of donated books.
Hello! I had never heard of the Little Free Library organization until we went to MO to visit our daughter. She had just purchased a library and she asked her dad to “plant” it for her. My curiosity was instantly peaked! She explained how it worked and I was hooked! As soon as we got back home, my husband started building me a library. I’ve had it up a little over a year and a half now. It has brought me so much joy! I still get so excited when I see someone drive up to my library! It never gets old! I have kids ride up on their bikes and the daily neighborhood walkers stop by as well. It makes me feel great to know that I am helping to promote literacy. I have a lot of fun with the library as well. I decorate for the different holidays and put little extras in it like bookmarks and pencils etc. for the kids. It helps to bring communities together and it’s nice when you see your neighbors having a chat at your library. It’s a great organization!
I saw my first little library in Oregon and I loved it so much. Reading has always been something consistent in my life and I told myself that when I was stable and at a place in my life to give, that I would have a little library too.
I'm there now! We have had our library for 3 years. We share all kind of books and our neighbors visit and use the library as a meeting spot. I've meet so many people because of the library. So many children have taken books!
The support from this community, from this organization, is nothing short of amazing. They have a useful website, a Facebook group for stewards, they keep in contact with a newsletter, and the organization even sets up book support for libraries that need help after storms. I'm proud to be apart of this network.
Todd Bol started this movement in honor of his mother. What a great tribute and fantastic opportunity to share stories with all ages. The gift of reading great stories will always stand the test of time
When I was getting ready to retire, after 22 years in my position, I was asked what I would like for a retirement gift. I requested a Lending Library and a box of starter books , much to the surprise of my company. I live in a corner lot home with elementary schools on both streets so I have lots of foot traffic when the children are walking to and from school. I had no idea my library would be so popular!
I check the contents every day I am around and find I am constantly refilling it. I have found I add more books than are returned but I am happy to do so. Reading has provided me with much happiness and joy over the years and I hope my library is giving that to the children that are using it.
I have found garage sales, city library book sales and used bookstores a great source for inventory. My favorite used bookstore, when learning I was purchasing books for a lending library gave me free pick of books from their overstock collection at no cost.
I often run a "theme" library for holidays, animals, teddy bears, fairies, etc., and have noticed enthusiasm from the children when they discover I have a lot of books on something they enjoy.
My husband didn't get my enthusiasm for my Little Library until he started checking the inventory with me, now we both pick out the books and keep our library stocked for the children stopping by.
My library reminds me of all my friends from my former workplace and has lasted long after a gift certificate for dinner or some other token for retirement. My gift keeps on giving both to me and the recipients of the books. The Lending Library concept is wonderful!
I am a Counselor. I have a client who was recently informed that her child needs help with reading and the teacher told her to buy books to help to improve their reading skills. My client asked if I knew where she can obtain books because she currently lacks finances due to trauma. I told her about Little Free library and gave her a book that was donated to our agency to help her to get started. That way she can have her child read that one book and have an endless supply by exchanging for another book. I have another client who is cleaning up the clutter in her home. She asked if I knew anyone who needed children's books. I located a Little Free Library near her and offered to leave some at two in my neighborhood. She was delighted. As for myself, I've discovered new authors through The Little free Library, which lead to me purchasing new books and I will visit our public library to read more. I believe that The Little Free Library is beneficial to public libraries, the community, and authors.
I first learned about Little Free Library through the "Rotary Magazine" a few years ago. When I became involved with the Guadalupe Center in Immokalee, FL and saw what they were doing for the children of Immokalee through their programs of Early Learning Centers, After School Tutoring and Tutor Corps, I thought that the libraries could be a tool to encourage the little children to read. We know that children living in poverty are way behind in their vocabularies by the time they reach third grade. I found one of five libraries built in Naples, FL for the city parks and that got me started.
So, I decided to provide the libraries along with an initial supply of books through Books4Schools, another Wisconsin organization(I'm originally from WI).
Guadalupe Center received the first Little Free Library (photo). With the partnership with a good friend and woodworker, we have also supplied a number of libraries we built ourselves in Iowa (photo) in addition to purchased ones (cost + freight is expensive).
Several early centers in Collier County, FL and the Quad Cities in IA/IL now have little libraries; also elementary schools in IA and Habitat for Humanity communities in Collier County. Our books are aimed at K-2 children.
We hope we're doing some good!
Mark T Nagan, FL & IA
Our Little Free Library #66367 in Newburyport Massachusetts is devoted exclusively to piano music! Our LFL is decorated with music note stickers and hand lettering by my piano students. The top of our LFL is an open book and if you peek inside the roof line, viewers are treated to a picture of Ludwig von Beethoven and the music of his famed Moonlight Sonata for piano. My 40 school age piano students maintain the library by putting library cards and the LFL logo in the many used piano music books and sheet pieces that we collect and rotate throughout the year. We were featured in our local paper! It is delightful to watch from the front windows of the studio, the cars that pull up to explore the piano music and it is always exciting to find music that is shared with us. As students grow musically, there is always a question about what to do with their old books that no longer challenges them but may be needed by younger students, for which paying for lessons, maintaining a piano and buying music is a burden on family budgets. We are so pleased to be able to help not only our students, but piano students across our town by offering music for all to learn and enjoy. Studio Owner Penny Lazarus, Nationally Certified Teacher of Music.
I would like to recognize Giovanni Seccaveccia who created West Hartford’s Mr. Bookman, Little Free Library Steward and Guardian Facebook page. He personally oversees all of West Hartford‘s Little Free Libraries by distributing books and making sure all of our Little Free Libraries are full and neat. We all really appreciate his hard work and dedication.
We installed a Little Free Library in the Elsie Priest Park behind The United Church of Christ in Keene, NH nearly 4 years ago. Hundreds, perhaps 1000s, of books have circulated through our LFL. We stock it with books for all ages including board books for babies and toddlers, picture books for young children, early readers, young adult books, novels, poetry, biographies and how-to books for adults. Unique items are sometimes put in our LFL such as calendars, small gifts, and other items to share with others. From June 19-23, 2019 the Walldogs Mural artists are coming to Keene and will paint one of the dozen large murals on the brick wall adjacent to our Little Free Library. We can't wait to see what the mural will look like!
The Impact Fund Little Library has been a fantastic organization to work with and help my students receive access to great literature, right in their own community! Their generosity and prompt response to questions and mailing our library was quick and easy. Everything was simple to install and it came stocked with GREAT books to get you going. My students and families love having access to this resource in their community, as the school is a place they are already visiting. The ease of gaining access to books without making a separate trip to the library has been an awesome addition to our community! Without the help of this organization this would not have been possible.
As a Reading Coach at a small, neighborhood, Title I elementary school, I am always searching for ways to get students excited about reading. Through the Impact Fund at Little Free Library, our school was awarded a Little Free Library so all families in our community can have access to free books at any time, year round. Our students and parents love browsing and taking home books to read.
We were so excited to be chosen for the Impact program! The children in our neighborhood love it and it’s been a great way to meet more neighbors. It truly makes a difference for our neighborhood.
I wrote a grant last fall to get a Little Free Library for our local elementary center.
Through the Impact Grant, the school received a Little Free Library box.
I wrote a couple of blog articles on my experience with Little Free Library.
http://elementarylibrary2010.blogspot.com/2016/08/little-free-libraries.html
http://elementarylibrary2010.blogspot.com/2017/03/impact-grant-wrap-up.html
Our nonprofit organization was awarded one of the 'Little Free Library' gift packages.
The 'Kick-Off' is scheduled for Tuesday, April 3, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia.
We are excited to offer the residents an opportunity to increase literacy within the community.
Thank you - 'Little Free Library'!!!
Great communication and fantastic ideas on how to accomplish goals and how to help the organization. A nonprofit that has made a difference in my neighborhood.
The LFL program is fantastic. It is proliteracy, proeducation, and propeople. The people are so generous and kind. Not a bad word can be said.
True Service Above Self.
Thank you for the Impact libraries!
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/orange/os-little-free-library-phyllis-olmstead-20180307-story.html
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We have very diverse socioeconomic levels in central Florida. We have Heathrow, Sweetwater, and Islesworth replete with good schools, access to book stores, libraries, and private transportion. Then we have Pine Hills, South Apopka, and Parramore with limited access to the Internet, lack of funds for buying books, and barriers to getting library books.
How can we fix these barriers to health, hope, and a good future? Little Free Libraries in neighborhoods where people frequent and by their homes will encourage them to expand their literacy levels, improve their education, and better their careers.
Hi my name is Dawn, I am an elementary school teacher and always dreamed of being a librarian. I thought having a Little Free Library would help make my dream come true and build young readers in my community. I wrote a request to Little Free Library Impact Fund and was selected to receive a library free of charge. My neighbors and I absolutely love it! This is a wonderful nonprofit that is making communities better, one library, one book at a time.
The Waynesboro-Wayne County Library was so excited to receive a Little Free Library !
Wayne County, Mississippi is located in a rural area with 20,755 individuals in our county and we are the only public library serving the community. Through another grant we now have two libraries, and I have also written a Scholastic grant for books to go inside the library. Please see attached photo. On March 13, 2018 we exhibited the DR. Seuss library at the Mississippi State Capitol for state legislators and the library community. Everyone was very impressed with it.
I fell in love the first moment I saw a newspaper story about Little Free Libraries. The fact that Little Free Libraries were “born” in Wisconsin made it even more exciting. Then, my handyperson posted a picture of an LFL he’d just installed, I called and asked him to make me one too. Overhearing my request, an employee suggested perhaps this would be a project his dad would like to do, and he did! He built Little Free Library #6387, now one of more than 50,000 worldwide! #6387 is just one city block from the large and very popular Roverwest Dog Park and activity is always lively of both donations and takeaways! While dog parents stop, we offer treats for dogs who wait patiently (and often PULL their walkers to the treats). We are an urban neighborhood of single and multifamily homes. Our Facebook page, Little Free Libraries of Riverwest (https://www.facebook.com/Little-Free-Libraries-of-Riverwest-550234955060355/), is bordered by the Milwaukee River in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Our libraries have lots of active traffic and contributions of magazines, puzzles, videos, DVDs but mostly wonderful books of all genres and interests.
I have loved LFL's for several years! All 9 of my grandkids and one great grand, surprised me with a LFL for my 70'th birthday! My oldest granddaughter is a co Steward with me. It was built with love and care by my son-in-law and has brought so much joy to my life!! So many generously donated books! We love our visitors...who make our LFL magical! Please visit our FB page @ Cumberland's Awesome House of Books!!
I am getting ready to install a Little Free Library in the Adirondacks (when the snow melts and the ground softens)! I look forward to sharing my love for reading with other residents - summer folks and locals. I have already gotten so much support for the idea and the books are rolling in. The row boat theme is perfect for the surroundings. The LFL website was so helpful!
This is one of the best volunteer gigs I've ever had. It totally aligns with my values & interests & aside from a little disagreement with one neighbor who didn't care for my emphasis on general interest books (she'd slipped in something that was of a conservative religious nature -- not my goal), people in our neighborhood have been very supportive & happy that my husband & I installed it. We've had great responses in the little notebook we leave out there, and I enjoy weeding & restocking the LFL from time to time... and seeing what people say about it. It's a lot of fun! I appreciate the support & info this nonprofit offers!
I love their mission and support! When I found out about Little Free Libraries, I immediately wanted to have my own and spread the love of reading. I researched information on how to do it and found their resources to be amazing. They have a Facebook page which is interesting and helpful as well as a Facebook page for stewards with great sharing of ideas and tips for having your own successful LFL.
I have two Little Free Libraries -- one in rural Clatsop County on the north Oregon coast and one in suburban Portland, Oregon.
Both my libraries get regular use, and folks leave lovely comments in our visitor log.
It's a wonderful way to encourage reading and exchange of books, and make our neighborhoods a little bit richer.
Whatever a reader's tastes, they'll always be a book that appeals in our library!
Little Free Libraries is a remarkable idea that has been embraced in thousands of communities worldwide. By making books free to share between neighbors, a little free library is a sign that "caring people live in this neighborhood." While every LFL is a delightful expression of its owner's creativity, all share essential values:
1) literacy is the foundation of democracy
2) that knowledge is for sharing
3) sharing a book is more satisfying than owning it.
There is still much room for growth. The passion of the founder and the admin team is infectious. This team pours forth new ideas to enliven the 50,000 stewards and enrich their communities. Role: Professional with expertise in this field
Our town had no library, so a LFL located across the street in a city park seemed like a good idea. It's been a terrific way to cycle books from a fairly extensive library--I'm an English teacher--into the community. I rarely see those who frequent the library, but I was thrilled to hear on a bus ride home one evening, "My family loves the Little Free Library."
This has been the most amazing thing that has happened in my neighborhood since Stephen King moved in! People love the library, and take very good care of it. They are grateful for the children's books. There are many people living in the neighborhood without much extra to spend on books - and they are the ones who leave the most amazing notes in the guest book. With the struggles that families have making ends meet, the ability to bring extra books home to read - and actually to keep if they want to - is very very needed in today's climate.
Our church in Saint Paul, MN was searching for a way to reach out to the community and a member was kind enough to build us a Little Free Library to mount by the sidewalk. Church members who live across from the church observe that many neighbors stop to browse. It is placed near the children's playground so handy for parents supervising their young ones playing. When I check it to tidy and resupply, I am always happy to see that interesting books have been left by the walkers for others to read. On the side of the LFL, a weather-proof container is attached which offers the church monthly brochure of activities.
So, did I have lots of books to share!!! My house is stuffed with books. So, when I heard about LFL from my daughter, one of my friend's sons had learned how to build Little Free Libraries in a community project and helped me build one too, using recycled stuff from Community Forklift. And, I stocked it up with books from my house. I registered it and got lots of good ideas from the website about how to manage my library. Then, lo and behold, people started contributing books too, and kids would come by and I would hear parents say,"no, only two." Now when I am out in the community and people don't know where I live I say, I have the blue Little Free Library and their faces light up. The founder of LFL came through last year and I had a chance to meet him along with other LFL librarians. It was really inspiring to hear him talk about getting a library out in front of every police department in the country. Such a great community-building tool, and a great way to recycle books I have already read!
In January of 2015, I had never heard of Little Free Libraries. Then I came across a picture of a Little Free Library on facebook, so I did a little free Googling and found this incredible organization. Here we are in March of 2017 and my Community of 30,000 amazing, generous, kind and dedicated people now has more than 80 chartered Little Free Libraries in our little 5 square mile city. The Little Free Library organization (which we refer to as our Mothership) has been truly inspirational, ridiculously supportive, helpful in the extreme and a big part of why we are so close to achieving our goal of having a Little Free Library within safe and easy walking distance of every Neighbor in Lake Worth, Florida.
In 2013 my husband built me a book exchange to share my extra books with the neighbors and friends, then we came across a Little Free Library and I did some research and decided I wanted to be part of this wonderful organization so I registered my Library got my charter number and became a part of this wonderful movement, also I was asked if I would be interested in volunteering by vetting stewards to the new Facebook page -I was just starting retirement and this was a great way to spend my time. Now I am part of the 50000 Little Free Libraries that are giving a sense of community, reading for children, literacy for adults and libraries around the world .