Saturday, December 16, 2023

Take a book, Share a book

I am finally ready to get back to the vacuuming after having a long coffee-drinking morning, with Bri and the girls (fighting). But we did manage to talk about making a free little library in between the crying and yelling. Kate arrives at 9pm, so ONWARD!

The girls help me navigate from one free library to another in our area, using the app. We have given away so many books this way. And we talk about building one to honor David's love of reading. But just talked about it. This morning it was a little more serious discussion about where we might put one on our own property. We have lots of foot traffic which is what makes a free library so special. Any passer-by (neighbor) can take or give a book. I think we are now going to talk to our neighbor and see what they think about one being on our property.

You may have seen a Little Free Library in towns you visit or know of them through the grapevine. They're those wooden structures, often shaped to look like a little house or barn, that house a small collection of books. This non-profit organization started in St. Paul, Minnesota, in an effort to make reading more accessible in communities across the globe. In fact, according to its website, as of today, there are over 150,000 Little Free Libraries. 

The best part about its mission is anyone can choose to set one up. And some areas can have more than one. In Detroit, there are an estimated 500 libraries, as reported by American Libraries Magazine. Installing a Little Free Library starts with a desire to spread the love of reading. But it also requires some prep work and dedication. If you're interested in bringing one into your town, here are some key things you need to know about installing one.

Free Library map Take a book, share a book Little Free Library Ornament
I think I would make my own stamp for the books we are sharing.

  

 

2 comments:

LindaSonia said...

Love to see the variety of designs of the Little Libraries. I see several on my daily walkabouts the neighborhood. They always make me smile.

LindaSonia said...

Just FYI, but I saw the contractor Tom Silva from Ask This Old House build one on an episode of the show. He built it and his daughter painted it. It was in the shape of a school bus. Cute.