Today’s Connection Spotlight shines on the Little Free Library movement that’s connecting readers with books all over the world. Now before you say, “But community libraries have been doing that for centuries!” let me say how big a supporter I am of community libraries. But the Little Free Library is a delightful variant of that, and it has the potential for serving neighborhoods and communities unserved by a more traditional library.
The Little Free Library movement is, at its core, a free book exchange on a micro-local level, often in someone’s front yard. Its most common iteration is in the form of an edifice that resembles a very large birdhouse, where books can be housed and protected from the weather, but as you can see from this link—“Do It Yourself Little Free Libraries”— they come in all shapes and sizes. They all operate on the “Leave a book, take a book” policy. Pinterest hosts lots of boards on little free libraries: http://pinterest.com/ltlfreelibrary/boards/. Co-founder Todd Bol recalls someone’s description of the Little Free Library concept, “It’s like having a front porch that extends to your sidewalk.”
For more information about the Little Free Library movement, including how you can participate, help, or even build your own little free library, visit http://littlefreelibrary.org.
Do you have a little free library in your neighborhood? I’d love to have you post a photo on my Facebook page. We also welcome “Connection Spotlight” stories or ideas. Use the comments section below or Heartspoken’s Contact Page.
I’ve seen a few of these little tiny libraries, and they are such a welcome, friendly sight! Thanks to all the people who have put them up!
April, I share your gratitude to those who have taken action on something small that has the potential to make a large community impact. Thank you for reading Heartspoken and making a comment. I hope others will click your name to be taken over to your beautiful Earth Connection blog.
Elizabeth, I sent this link to a librarian friend of mine who told me about a similar program in England using old telephone booths. I thought that sounded pretty cool.
Thanks for sharing, Esther! The old telephone booths would make a wonderful “little library!”
I have not seen any little libraries in my area. But, what a wonderful idea! I looked at the Pinterest boards – wow. You are only limited by your imagination! I have seen shelves in some areas – like Esther said in RV parks, and even in the base library in Albuquerque. There is also a take-on-leave-one north of Minot in Lansford in their town hall.
Karen, I’m so glad you enjoyed the Pinterest boards. I thought they were amazingly creative! I think I’ve seen a take-one-leave-one rack in our local county library too. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
one in my neighborhood is made from an old microwave oven! decorated, you’d never know until you look inside. go on craigslist and look for free stuff to make one from.
Thanks for this, Sue. What a great idea to use something that already has a hinged door on it! You’re right…craigslist would be a great place to find items that could be converted into one. And Pinterest is a great place to get creative ideas. Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
I LOVE this idea. Great article. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Kelly, I know some of your young art students could have a ball with these little libraries! I was amazed at the variety of styles, types, and colors. Thanks for reading and commenting!
I want to get some plans of libarary boxes. Where can I go to get them? Do I have to get permission form the city to place one in y my yard? Thank you
Joe, you’ll find some ideas and resources at this website: https://littlefreelibrary.org/build/. If you make one, send us a photo!
How neat! “Take a book, leave a book” is common at RV parks across the country. It seems that most of us like to read and books can weigh you down if you collect many. But I love this idea…if I lived in town, I’d do this.
How cool and wonderful is that!
Isn’t it a great idea, Lisa? I wonder if the idea can be applied to things other than books too? Thanks for stopping by to comment.