Just down the street from my house is a park with the most interesting Little Free Library. I often walk through the park on my daily walk, and I always stop and peek inside to see what’s new.
Being a rather conventional person, I would expect there to be books and only books in a Little Free Library. Fortunately, there are lots of creative and unconventional people in this world who don’t have trouble thinking outside of the box and who see the value of putting other, interesting items that people might want in the little library near my house!
Yesterday I had a stack of books I wanted to donate, so I walked to the little library in the park. I was not disappointed! Besides the usual books for both adults and children, there was a very old college algebra textbook, copies of Highlights for young children, some DVDs for kids, and several wonderful stacks of baseball, basketball and football cards. How fun!
In previous visits to the little library, I have seen friendship bracelets, puzzles, bookmarks, art supplies, and small toys inside. One time, there were stacks of green paper restaurant order pads, and I wondered if someone had given up their waitress or waiter job!
If you aren’t familiar with the Little Free Libraries, they were started in 2009 by Hudson, Wisconsin resident, Tod Bol. Tod built a model of a one room schoolhouse (as a tribute to his mother who was a teacher) and put it on a post in his front yard and filled it with books. It became so popular with his neighbors and friends that he built several more and gave them away.
In 2010, Tod partnered with another Wisconsin resident, Rick Brooks, and the two men established the Little Free Libraries to share books and bring communities together. Their effort spread like wildfire and as of 2022, there were over 150,000 registered Little Free Libraries in more than 120 countries worldwide.
If you have books you wish to donate, there is probably a Little Free Library near you. You can use the Little Free Library mobile app to find one. The beauty of these little libraries is that they are accessible 24/7.
If you wish to establish a Little Free Library yourself, you can design and build your own or purchase a kit for one of the three designs the organization has created. Libraries may be placed in front of houses, apartment buildings, schools, churches, businesses, parks, and community centers. Once established, you can register your library with the Little Free Library Organization.
Today, there are more than 200,000 Little Free Libraries worldwide. How amazing is that? For more information: www.littlefreelibrary.org
I love this post!
When this popped up, i could only see your hair and the top od your glasses….my first thought was it was a picture of your mom, and as i scrolled up i realized it was you…I have always seen the resembkence but this picture could have been your been your mom 30 years ago!
Love it. 2 beautiful women