Wednesday, September 25, 2013

The Little Free Library Movement

Have you noticed these cute, little mini-libraries popping up in your neighborhood?  I have counted three so far in mine.
Some of them match the architecture of the homes they stand in front of, others are more fanciful. I think they are adorable!
It's all part of the Little Free Library movement. It was started by Todd Bol in Hudson, Wisconsin and has quickly spread across the United States and beyond.
Visitors to the Little Free Libraries can borrow a book, bring it back, and sometimes even add a book of their own!  Isn't that a great idea?  I am in the process of making one, myself.  I have WAY too many books, most languishing in my basement...why not share them with my neighbors?
 

For more information on Little Free Libraries click here. or visit littlefreelibrary.org. Maybe you will want one, too?







at

28 comments:

  1. minifleurSeptember 25, 2013

    Hi John,
    It is a great idea for sharing books that you no longer want on your shelves! One of our neighbours has one on our street!
    Perhaps, it should go on my "to do" list as well - just not sure when I will get to it - the "to do" list is so long!
    Martha

    ReplyDelete
  2. CatherineSeptember 25, 2013

    It is the fist time I have heard of it. It is a wonderful idea. I can't wait to see the one you are making.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The Old MaidSeptember 25, 2013

    Sweet idea and nice houses! Thanks for sharing!
    Big hug

    ReplyDelete
  4. MarisaSeptember 25, 2013

    Oh John that's a great idea I have a few books that I'd love to put in a little bookshare house (the first one would be those 50 shades of gray books what a waste)

    Hugs
    Marisa

    ReplyDelete
  5. JohnSeptember 25, 2013

    LOL, Marisa! That book showed up in one of my neighbor's library and caused a bit of a scandal...

    ReplyDelete
  6. The grandmommySeptember 25, 2013

    I have heard of this but have yet to see one. Looking forward to it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. GeeSeptember 25, 2013

    It is a lovely idea and so creative!
    I think if I would do that, in front of my house, people would steal the books AND the library.And I don't even live in a 'bad' neighbourhood.
    I'm impressed by the fact that apparently Americans are a lot more honest.

    Hugs,
    Gee

    ReplyDelete
  8. elizabeth sSeptember 25, 2013

    Hi John! I think that this is a MARVELOUS idea! I think that everyone should read more books and when they are presented in such an irresistible way, it will make the commitment to do so that much more appealing! And I am sure that the structure that You will make, will end up being another work of Art!

    elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  9. BradSeptember 25, 2013

    Hello John,

    I can't wait to see what you create for your free library! I'm sure it will be absolutely fabulous. Thank you for all your help and suggestions. You are a font of knowledge my friend.

    All best,
    Brad

    ReplyDelete
  10. PepperSeptember 26, 2013

    What an absolutely lovely idea. In England we are fighting to keep libraries open. We should adopt this idea =0)

    ReplyDelete
  11. SimonSeptember 26, 2013

    What a great idea John, and they are sooo cute! I like the with the planted roof.
    Show us a pic of yours when it's ready - a mini version of Merriman Park??
    Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  12. afairytalecometruewyrnaSeptember 26, 2013

    What a brilliant and decorative idea. It is not seen in Denmark yet, maybe I should start it, in our cottage area.
    In Denmark, books are very expensive, we are a small country of only 5.6 million people, so a book which, only can be sold in Denmark has its challenges. The Book market is also squeezed, because we are now reading our books on iPad.

    A really good idea. Thanks for sharing knowledge about these free libraries
    Hugs
    Wyrna

    ReplyDelete
  13. Tessa LiduinaSeptember 26, 2013

    Hey John, thanks for sharing pictures of this fantastic "movement"! Such a brilliant idea to make a tiny house, like some kind of mailbox, and put books in it. In my apartment block we have a huge bookcase on the groundfloor near the elevators for the exhange of books, but it doesn't look as cute as the tiny houses you have shown in this post. Please show us your bookcase-house when finished!

    ReplyDelete
  14. AM MinnaardSeptember 26, 2013

    Hey John, what an amazing idea! And the presetation/look of these mini libraries is really inviting. It sparks your imagination and makes you wanna take a peek inside and barrow a book. During my trip I swapped a lot of books in the hostels I stayed. It saves a lot of weight in you backpack. You bring one book with you and when your finished you swap it for another. Lot's of people leave a little comment/note in the book. gr. AM

    ReplyDelete
  15. IlonaSeptember 26, 2013

    John, this is a precious idea, I like it! Those library houses look gorgeous, if possible I would love to participate. But unfortunately I have to agree with Gee: here in The Netherlands the house and its content would be vanish one second after you left it ;)!
    Hugs, Ilona

    ReplyDelete
  16. TroySeptember 26, 2013

    Great Idea! This hasn't spread to Oklahoma yet. Some of those little houses are pretty creative. Thanks for the post.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Nina in GermanySeptember 26, 2013

    Genial !!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. jeffrySeptember 26, 2013

    Hi John,
    What a wonderfull idea to share your books with others and it's a nice addition to your garden as well.

    ReplyDelete
  19. JosjeSeptember 27, 2013

    Such a wonderful initiative!
    I'd love to see you make your own little free library. I have visions of a miniature Library of Congress ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnnaSeptember 28, 2013

    Oh, how I love LFLs...alas, it's not possible to put one up where I currently live.

    Someday I'd like to build one in the style of an English country house and fill it with P.G. Wodehouse books ;)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Jeri ElsnerSeptember 29, 2013

    I haven't heard of this before! I think it would be very cool for my neighborhood group. Perhaps we could fund having you build a "mini-library" for us? I'll talk to you about this later...Thanks for sharing. GREAT idea!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Iris MarchSeptember 29, 2013

    Oh John, how wonderful!! Those libraries are precious and the idea behind them is great!!

    I can't wait to see your Mini-library.

    Cheers,
    Iris

    ReplyDelete
  23. GiacSeptember 30, 2013

    Hello John,
    What a great way to share a book collection! It is such a great idea! I look forward to seeing your mini library.
    Big hug,
    Giac

    ReplyDelete
  24. AndySeptember 30, 2013

    Hey John!

    what a great idea, those book libraries look so cute! I'm not sure they would be big enough for all the books I need to give away though!! ;)

    Hugs
    Andy xxx

    ReplyDelete
  25. Fi.POctober 07, 2013

    Hello my lovely,

    I'm just catching up!

    I think this is such a wonderful idea! I find these sort of stories so heart warming, communities joining together to to share enjoyment. It makes me feel like some of the old love thy neighbour still exists in this world.

    Best story I have heard in ages!

    ML Fi XX

    P.S And they are so cute!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. miraclechickenOctober 08, 2013

    I have heard of these a couple years back, but never saw them anywhere for real. Such cute little "houses"---

    ReplyDelete
  27. Norma BennettOctober 09, 2013

    It's a great idea that I've never seen before. There are 'footpath libraries' in the major cities of Australia - donated books are taken to places where homeless people congregate in the evenings which I really like.

    ReplyDelete
  28. PlushpussycatOctober 12, 2013

    Hi John, We have these in our area too. I love to see them. You've shown some great examples of architectural styles--what fun! xo Jennifer

    ReplyDelete