Discovering Little Free Libraries
Take a Book. Share a Book.
By Michelle Mahoney
As an enthusiastic bookworm and a naturally curious person, the first time I saw a Little Free Library outside of someone’s house, I had to know more. What was this colourful box filled with books? Could I just take one, even if I didn’t have one to exchange? It seemed I could, so I did, vowing to come back with a few titles to leave on my next walk. I can’t recall which book I took home that day, but my family and I have revisited that little library, and many others since, helping to spread the joy of books that these community gems provide.
What is a Little Free Library?
Little Free Library is a growing nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting reading through “Take a Book. Share a Book.” exchanges. On a mission to see a library in every community and a book for every reader, their vision says, “We believe all people are empowered when the opportunity to discover a personally relevant book to read is not limited by time, space or privilege.”
The first Little Free Library was created in 2009 in Wisconsin, US and the movement has grown to include more than 180,000 book-sharing boxes in 121 different countries. Little libraries can be found in a variety of locations, from front yards to community centres and public parks, each one featuring its own creatively enticing colours and themes. Run by volunteer stewards who make sure the boxes are stocked and maintained, little libraries inspire a sense of community and encourage a passion for reading.
To carry the official Little Free Library name, a book exchange must be registered, which includes receiving a beautiful charter sign and number to display. A handy mobile app makes it easy to find Little Free Libraries near you, so almost anywhere you go, you can find a book to read or a place to leave a treasure for someone else. You can also save your favourites and earn badges like Book Giver and Library Locator. littlefreelibrary.org/app
Celebrating Diversity and Community
With 98% of people surveyed saying that their neighbourhood feels like a friendlier place because of a Little Free Library, the organization is working to build communities. Following the idea that “Everyone should be able to see themselves in the pages of a book,” every effort is made to highlight diversity – celebrating marginalized voices by showcasing inclusive books and introducing sharing boxes to underserved communities. The Little Free Library team explains, “Book access is at the heart of our mission. To ensure everyone has a book to read, our Impact Library and Indigenous Library programs grant no-cost Little Free Libraries and books to underserved and First Nation communities where books are scarce. The Little Free Library nonprofit organization is thrilled to see our global network grow each year, thanks to stewards who care deeply about sharing books and bringing people together.”
My Little Free Library Journey
For me, the experience of visiting these little libraries wasn’t enough. After learning about them, I began to dream of having one of my own. I thought of fun colour schemes and little quotes to add, keeping it all in the back of my mind. My husband and I aren’t exactly proficient with tools, and the idea seemed a little overwhelming, but we started to look closely at some of the creative approaches people had taken… and we had a few ideas brewing. Then one day, walking through our local farmers’ market, we saw it! A beautiful book-sharing box shaped like an adorable little house. It was too good to be true, and when we went back to buy it a few weeks later, it was gone. Little did we know, my mom (also a book enthusiast) bought it to surprise us at Christmas!
As proud owners of a Little Free Library, the next step was to figure out how to install it. Luckily, it was winter in Ontario, so the frozen ground gave us some time to ponder. Hoping to keep things simple, we decided to attach a post inside a large whiskey barrel and fill it with rocks and dirt to keep it sturdy. I would like to say that this part was easy, but we truly aren’t equipped for such undertakings. Still, with some “pleasantries” exchanged, we got the job done, and it is solidly in position for the foreseeable future. So, it was a good plan in the end.
Although my initial dream included painting vibrant and fun shades – think yellow and grassy green, with hints of sky blue and lavender surrounded by a whimsical wildflower array – this little library was beautifully made and fits nicely into the backdrop of our old neighbourhood just as it is. Instead of painting, we decided to showcase the natural wood tones for the first few years. We turned to the experts at Benjamin Moore for the best products to protect the wood while highlighting the rich contrasts. After two coats of Woodluxe Chestnut Brown translucent stain (an amazingly easy product to apply that brought out the undertones of the wood exactly as we hoped for), we have a gorgeous sharing library that will undoubtedly attract the attention of passersby.
Once it was done, the final step was to register our Little Free Library and install our charter sign. And of course, fill it with books. Not only do I love to read, but I thrive on inspiring the littlest readers, so we stocked it full of our favourites for all ages. In the first few months, the selection has already rotated as people drop off their own donations and grab a new book for themselves. I still get excited every time I see someone standing out there, and I was more than thrilled when all the children’s books got picked up on the last day of school.
Our Little Free Library has been, and will continue to be, a joyful adventure, as much as visiting the libraries shared by others has been. If this captures your attention like it did mine, you won’t have to look very hard to find one in your own neighbourhood. Happy reading!
