For the past several months, I’ve been working with a local literacy coalition to help promote the love of reading in our schools and regional communities. One of the ideas that we proposed was to promote Little Free Libraries in our urban and rural environments. I figured the best way for me to promote this idea was to create one myself.
Throughout the campaign we’ve been stressing the use of recycled materials and simplistic design. When I presented the idea to my husband, the creative juices began to flow and he soon constructed this adorable residential Little Free Library. To learn more about constructing and registering your very own LFL, visit littlefreelibrary.org
This is a grass roots movement and the LFL site includes a world map where registered LFL locations are posted so that those interested in doing a tour or an afternoon bike ride to visit all of the “mini libraries” in their area can print the map and get going.
As I mentioned earlier, we promote the idea of using simplistic, recycled materials to bring to life this lovely idea to stress the importance of reading in your community. Use old furniture, large baskets, cartons, or plastic tubs to make inexpensive, upcyled models. My husband found scrap wood and other building materials to make this LFL for our home. His skill level might be better than most but don’t stress about the perfect model. Stick with your skill level and be as simplistic or as ornate as you like. Check out all the images on the site to inspire ideas for your very own Little Free Library.
An excellent idea. I really hope it works well. I have seen a similar scheme in Bordeaux. Anything that encourages people to read gets my vote!
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Thanks for your support! I am going to add a few children’s books and set out some welcoming chairs to entice visitors…
Thanks for stopping by!😊
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Such an amazing idea!
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We shall see how it all works out! Hoping for the best… 😊
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Bravo for you participating in this wonderful organization!
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Thank you! I have a passion for reading and I hope others can enjoy this LFL along a country road in Indiana.
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What a wonderful thing to do!
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Well, thank you…
We just had our first visitor stop by to check it out… So exciting!😄
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I want to have one. Maybe that will go on next years to-do list. Such a great way to share books. It would be exciting!
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I totally agree, it is exciting! If you google LFL you’ll see all of the interesting ways people have brought the idea to fruition… Fun,fun, fun!
🏡📖🔆
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Wow! This is a really great idea. Hopefully the books are returned for others to enjoy.
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It’s take a book- give a book so there may be a complete turnover of books. I definitely need some books for male readers. A bicyclist stopped by yesterday and I had nothing that interested him. I will look thru my husband’s stash to see what I can find.😊
Thanks for your valued comment! Have a great day.
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Yes, update us on this in the future. I’d love to know how great things are going.
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…Will do! I just bought a solar spotlight (on clearance) to light up the LFL during the evening hours. Hopefully, this will deter anyone from vandalizing the structure in the dark of the night. I hate to think of this but it’s a reality these days. The LFL site encourages registered owners to think of these things to help keep the library functioning and promoting a positive community.
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What a great idea!
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Thanks so much!
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Good for you! I keep thinking how great it would be to have one of these in my neighborhood… and because of you, I may stop HOPING and start DOING. Thanks for spreading the love of reading!
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The time is now!😊
Good luck to you as you think about starting your own Little Free Library!
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What an amazing idea. x
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I’m loving it!😊
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I love the idea of the little free library! I live in an apartment so this isn’t really an option for me right now, but there is a reading shelf at a local coffee place that I think I might drop a few titles on. I really need to weed my library, the titles are good, but I just have too many.
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That sounds terrific! Check out the Little Free Library site for ideas and possible registration so that you can have your name on the world map for LFL’s.
Good Luck!
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What a wonderful idea! I think I’ll propose it here, where I live.
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That sounds fantastic! Let me know how it goes! Have a great day.😊
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I love this and I would build one except no one would see it where we live — at the end of a dead end road. I’m trying to think, though, who would like one. I can even supply the books. Jo @ Let’s Face the Music
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Think of friends, neighbors, local clubs, schools, etc. that might be willing to put one up. You could offer books and maintainance services.😊
Good luck!!’
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Oh, I absolutely LOVE this!!! Thank you for sharing!
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You’re quite welcome! We love it too. We’ve had several people stop by and exchange books. Lots of bike traffic on our country road so several bike riders have stopped by😊. We are loving it!
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Love these free libraries! We actually have one up the road from us in Newfoundland. Always a great turnaround of new books 🙂
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That’s lovely to hear. I will have to take a tip from you and make sure to rotate out books that haven been “checked out” in a while. Thank you!
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This is wonderful!
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We are having a lot of fun with it! It’s fun to see the rotation of new books every morning. 😊
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Waw I love this idea! I like the way you think! 😀
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Awe, thanks Mari!
We really enjoy caring for the LFL. …Lots of fun seeing the rotation of books throughout the week.📚
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Your library looks awesome! You can check out my little free library here: https://freelandlittlefreelibrary.wordpress.com/
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Thanks, Matthew…
I love your LFL too! I’m so excited to be part of the Little Free Library Community!📚😀
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I’m a huge fan of Little Free Libraries and they are prolific in Seattle. Nicely done!
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Thanks, Louise! They are “the bees knees”!🤓
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