I rode by this Little Free Library on my bicycle recently and was delighted to see that the home owner added a bench for readers' convenience. I found a book, will go back to donate a few more, and will leave a thank you note for the person who is providing this for the neighborhood.
History: Little Free Libraries are a community movement in the United States and worldwide that offers free books housed in small containers to members of the local community. They are also referred to as community book exchanges, book trading posts, pop-up libraries, and Noox (Neighbourhood bOOk eXchange), amongst other terms.
The idea was popularized in Hudson, Wisconsin (one of our neighbors) when Todd Bol mounted a wooden container designed to look like a school house on a post on his lawn as a tribute to his mother, who was a book lover and school teacher. Bol shared his idea with his partner Rick Brooks who found many efficient ways to spread the word, and the idea spread rapidly. Library owners can create their own library box, usually about the size of a doll house, or purchase one from the website. Libraries may be registered for a fee and assigned a number at the organization's website. Libraries can be found through their GPS coordinates.
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i haven't seen one of these yet in person but i love the concept and this one is charming.
ReplyDeleteThey're now all over the city neighborhoods and from what I've read they're popping up all over the world. I hope they show up in neighborhoods that need them the most. This one and several others close to me are within walking distance of the local library. . . and I love all of them. It's a great way to share books and motivate reading.
ReplyDeleteThats a neat idea, a great way to take a break from a bike ride.
ReplyDeleteI really like this idea! Super!
ReplyDeleteI just read an article on the retirement of my high school English teacher (and debate team coach) after 53 years of teaching. One of his comments was that he recently went to library night and realized that his interest in doing so was to compile a summer reading list for students, which he will no longer be doing. He said that his primary interest in reading is to be able to recommend particular books for his students. I suspect you can relate to that.
ReplyDeletePutting a student or a friend in touch with a good book is always a delight!
ReplyDeleteI see it first time in my life and I love it !
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea !
Very cool. Our local library just had a dedication for one of those at the train station.
ReplyDeleteI like this idea a lot Kate; thank you for sharing it. Something like this could be really useful in our neighbourhood and methinks the Great Scot and I will be checking into it further.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to link to this in Pinterest and spread the idea, if I may?
Certainly, go right ahead.
DeleteWhat an excellent idea! I love it and I have several books I could contribute.
ReplyDeletei think these are so cute and a nice way to connect a community.
ReplyDeleteI've seen this before Kate, but not with the addition of the very thoughtful bench :) such a brilliant idea, wonder how this would work here..
ReplyDeleteThis is such a good idea. I haven't seen any in around here but I have seen some in a few campgrounds but they call them "take a book, leave a book". Now I think I will try to find one close to us. What a great post, Kate!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea. I have never heard of this before. A great way to share.
ReplyDeleteThe woodworkers guild we belong to makes these and positions them in areas around the city. VERY cool idea for sure. I'll have to tell them about making the bench too.
ReplyDeleteAnn
Yes, I've heard about the movement!
ReplyDeleteROG, ABC Wednesday team
I've never seen anything like that. However, I'm always suggesting to my friends that they drop by to borrow a book - I have a closet with 2 shelving units full!
ReplyDeleteLeslie
abcw team
What a great idea. I haven't seen anything like that before. Carver, ABC Wed. Team
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea!
ReplyDeleteI've seen this idea before, but this is the first time I've read about the site Little Free Libraries. I will investigate it! As a retired teacher a lover of books, I'd like to continue sharing that love.
ReplyDeleteI have seen/read about these. Sounds like something I might be interested in doing.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great idea! We have a small restaurant that does that. I've used it on a number of occasions and left books in return.
ReplyDeleteWe have one in our neighborhood in Ft. Worth, Texas. Love the idea.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea, never seen such a box here in my country because our libraries are all over the island, with easy access using public transports. I've left some children books my kids outgrew at the void deck of the apartment block where I stayed with a note, free books for children.
ReplyDeleteI just found out about these a few weeks ago. What a cute one and the bench is a great idea!
ReplyDeleteNot a large selection but it sure is cute.
ReplyDeleteI heard about this movement last year and posted about it then. Every now and then I take surplus books and put them in the local free library.
ReplyDeleteI'm still thinking about getting one for our yard. My teaching partner has one, and it is so interesting to see what comes and goes.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely idea to put the books there for everyone.
ReplyDeleteWhat a simplistic and creative idea to make books available in one's neighborhood. Thanks for including the history of this endeavor!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea ! very creative !!
ReplyDeleteSuch a unique idea! I have never seen this before! I love it.I wish we had it overhere.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing.
Wil, ABCW Team.
An excellent idea! I have also never seen this before, but I think it's fabulous! Thanks for stopping by my blog:)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! Love it!
ReplyDeleteI saw for the first time photos of a Little Free Libraries on the blog of my friend from Pasadena, Petrea Burchard, Here and Here.
Btw, Petrea have a beautiful blog and I think you will like it.
Have a good weekend.
I had never heard of this ... what a wonderful idea! Lovely, inviting photo, too. It makes me want to just sit down right there and peruse one. I'm so glad I found your blog today.
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