Have you seen a Little Free Library on a lawn or stoop near you? If not then just wait. The dollhouse-sized structures originated two years ago as one man's homage to his book-loving teacher mom, and since then hundreds have cropped up worldwide.
The principle of the book swap is nothing new, but revitalizing an interest in books, increasing access to reading materials and planting these in neighborhoods everywhere is what makes this project so special.
Little Free Library uses recycled materials; libraries have been made using barn wood and old cranberry crates. In New Orleans several libraries have been constructed using Katrina debris.
Little Free Library has a righteous mission:
To promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges worldwide. To build a sense of community as we share skills, creativity, and wisdom across generations. To build more than 2,510 libraries around the world - more than Andrew Carnegie!
Last week Abby speculated that you probably have too many books, and this is a wonderful and generous way to clear out some space, promote literacy, and engage in community building. Want to get in on the action? Visit Little Free Library where you can donate to the organization, order a little library or find plans to build your own.
(Image: Little Free Library)
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This is just wonderful! I might just have to build one!
I am a retired preschool teacher and I just started mine--wonderful way to share my bazillion books that I collected through the years
this is the cutest thing!
I love this idea more than I can say. I'm going to see what I can do to get one started in my town and/or neighborhood.
One just popped up in our neighborhood but we haven't had time to visit yet. Can't wait to have another outlet for sharing kids books!
The photo is cute. Most of the little libraries I've seen are located in abandoned newspaper boxes that need some aesthetic help. Maybe the next movement will be little designers?
I love these and am happy to see the in my city. I also love the "regular" library though and it is also free so long as I am not forgetful :)
I LOVE this!!
Love it, but yikes!!! on the pricing for ready-made ones. My first car didn't cost that much...
wonderful.
What a sweet idea.
I'm lucky to live in a town where there are at least five in my neighborhood and three near my kid's school! People LOVE them!
My stepfather-in-law built a cheery yellow one in his front yard in Green Bay, WI. Happily, it's been seeing some action.
I forwarded this info to my granddaughter's school librarian, she'll love it. We're making one at our house for sure this summer. More fun than a doll house any day!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS!! We have so many extra books in our house and are on a well-traveled neighborhood street. We are making one next weekend and painting it to look the same as our 100+ year old house - persimmon with a shingled roof!
I would LOVE to do this! QUESTION: Do people really return the books?
We just got one at a park near my house. I think it is absolutely precious and I can't wait to check it out and donate a few of my own books!
brilliant post! m
I don't know if this was the inspiration but in a very cool neighborhood in Ithaca, NY, (Fall Creek) a very large and ancient maple (I think) was hollow inside and doomed for removal. The owners couldn't bear the thought so the son (who owns a tree removal service) let the tree stay, but removed all the limbs. With a cute roof on top it's big enough to fit a couple kids inside. There are books in the interior and friends are welcome to bring some to share and take one home. It made front page news in our local daily and has been talked about all over town.
I love it! One of my favorite sights since moving to England almost a year ago was an old red phone booth that has been converted to a lending library. Here it is: http://and-here-we-are.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/daily-photo-book-exchange.html
So fun and community- friendly! Next time we drive through that village, we will definitely bring a book to trade...
Cute.
My hairstylist has a shelf in her salon where people place unwanted books. It the same principle - take a book/bring a book. There is a bunch of those "Chicken Soup For Your Soul" books that have been sitting there for years. Not much in demand I guess but the thrillers/suspense books disappear quickly.
How ADORABLE! Now I know exactly what to get my mother for her next gift! She would love this!
WANT!
One of these popped up in Old City Philadelphia :)
Love! Love the Little Free Library. I work for the Traverse Area District Library in Traverse City, MI and we actually just sponsored the first in Northern Michigan for our community. The goal was to inspire others and it's working! Pay it forward, right? It's such a great and fun way to share literacy and celebrate community. And they are just so stinkin' adorable. Here is what ours ended up looking like: http://www.tadl.org/2012/05/07/little-free-library
LOVE!!!
I'm going to make one of these and put along the walking path in our town. It's such a lovely idea. It's an extension of the bookcrossing concept.
Our transfer station has book shelves filled with books. My little girls love going to the "library" while I drop off the recycling.
One just went up a couple days ago down the street from me! It's so cute. I want to put some of my underused books in.
I LOVEthis idea! My mother was a book-loving teacher as well! What a way to honor her memory! I'd suggest alerting local scout troops to the possibiliity of using this as a community service project-much more relevant for urban troops than the usual wildlife nesting boxes, etc.
My partner, Josh, has made a humble abode for free books. We are registered with Little Free Library also. Our neighborhood loves it and we check the library every morning for new arrivals and recent departures.
His blog post is here:
http://eellog.blogspot.com/2012/07/its-pronounced-lie-berry.html?m=1