These cute little boxes on posts seem to be sprouting up around here like daisies in sunshine. In the past week or so, I have noticed four. I finally just had to park my car, get out, and see what they were all about.
Sure glad I did!
I turned off the car, crossed the street, and peeked into the box; a box of books! There was a little hook to lift and a door opened, with an invitation inside to take a book, return it with another. Adult books and children’s books, there for the taking. I was as giddy as Charlie Bucket holding his golden ticket.
Leapt. I leapt across the street and opened my trunk, where a bag sat, bursting, with books I was planning to donate to Goodwill. I rummaged around and took out a Miss Dimple I was going to pass on, deciding, on the spot to donate it instead to this Little Free Library. I leapt back across the street, where I perused the selection. A few cars passed, unfettered by my leaping on this bookish corner as I once again opened the door, took out my selection, an as yet unread Maisie Dobbs, and replacing it with Miss Dimple.
Home again, I did some online investigating, finding the Little Free Library website, which you can visit here.
What a fabulous idea and a way to not only enjoy books, but, to foster literacy. There is a quaintness about this idea of sharing books in a clever and attractive way with your neighbors and passers-by. Of course, you can buy plans and kits to make your own little library, and you can officially register it and get one of these very nice markers – or, you can make one on your own. The Little Free Library is an interesting enterprise that seems to be growing.
I wonder if Tom can build one to look like the arbor. Have you seen one?
I’m afraid they would be vandalized in more rural areas like where I live, but i think they are a wonderful idea.
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That can be a concern, for sure. I’m eager to hear more about these – and see more. Appreciate your comment and how often you stop by. Thank you. 🙂
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What a fabulous concept, Penny! No, I’ve never seen anything remotely like it, and I applaud the mini-movement! I really hope the idea spreads far and takes off in a big way. I would love to see you have your own with a little arbor. Wouldn’t that be special! So if these are new, I wonder what happens to them in the winter. Will they withstand the snow or need to be “put away” for the season? I’m tempted to ship you some books to put out. I want to participate. 🙂
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I love your term “mini-movement”. All Tom needs is another project, tee hee. I could see the wheels spinning in his head when I told him. He’s actually seen them around as well. We have a lot of walkers down our little road. I’m very tempted . . . They needed to be weather-proof, air tight. I think last winter would have been a challenge for the amount of snow that piled up, but, they should be able to withstand winter. I’ll have to check the boxes I’ve seen this winter to see what they have done.
If you click on the site, Debra, you can see if there are any near you. There is a map and a list. I think you should start a trend.
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I follow their page on FB but have yet to find out whether the idea has travelled to the UK. I think it’s a delightful idea and can well imagine how thrilled you were. 🙂
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Did I read about Little Free Libraries on your blog, Cath? I know I saw them somewhere in the past year or so online. It really is a great idea. That I found a book and had a book to share made it all the more sweet.
I need to check out their FB page.
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No, it wasn’t me, Penny. But I think I’ve seen someone else writing about them too.
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Thanks, Cath. Wherever I saw it, I’m sure it will come to me eventually. 🙂
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I have read about these before. I don’t think they would be vandalized around here. I have a friend who is having an old rabbit hutch refurbished to become one. I am looking forward to it. I know that people even hesitate to grab the books from the free bin in the library so, I don’t think these would be abused.
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How exciting that is! I would love to see a photo of the rabbit hutch library when it if finished. What a clever idea and way to reuse the hutch. I can imagine you checking it out, taking the grands to the Little Free Library, sharing what you have as well. You should warn her about rabbit, rabbit days, though. 🙂
I love the free bins at the library. I’m always finding something I “need” and taking it home.
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This post made me so happy. It came in late last night, Penny, and I had to stay up and read it. I’ll be very interested to see how these evolve.
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Now, that is a very pleasant note to read, Andra. I’ve been amazed at how many of these little “libraries” have popped up lately and it will be interesting to see what happens with them.
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Yours is at least the third reference I’ve found to these little gems, Penny. I have been intrigued by the concept, and actually considered trying to implement one in our yard (in a few months when our “project load” lessens).
We’d definitely need to consider the winterizing aspect, because a winter such as we had last year would be a major challenge to keeping things high and dry inside.
Thanks for the reminder about this idea!
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You are most welcome, Karen It is interesting that references are popping up for you. I’m not sure where I first read about this concept, but, knew what it was I was looking at when I saw it. It was fun to take a peak. 🙂 Janet, in her comment above, mentioned a friend was repurposing one out of a rabbit hutch. Isn’t it fun to consider the possibilities?
Winterizing is a concern. Where we would consider putting one had four or five feet of snow piled this winter, between what fell and what was plowed off the street. Even if we could keep it dry, it would be near impossible to get inside. Still, possibilities reign . . .
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Maybe we could just do “fair weather” versions? Most folks aren’t out for leisurely strolls anyway when the weather’s that bitter. 🙂
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That sounds like a perfect solution, Karen. Either that, or, we can repurpose and Ice box. 🙂 In all seriousness, let me know if you decide to start your own library.
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Dear Penny, the idea of the little free libraries has caught on here in the Kansas City Metro area. One suburb wanted to ban the first little library and ordered the homeowners and the young boy who’d worked so hard on it to dismantle the library because of “zoning laws.” But there was a general uprising and so the city board had to backtrack! Yeah for libraries–little and big. And what a find–a Maisie Dobbs book. I’m walking to one on tape right now. Peace.
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That is an interesting story, Dee. I can imagine the uproar to book lovers and those who want to share their books. I’m glad to hear that the city board reconsidered. I would imagine this isn’t the episode. I find this to be such a charming idea. The Maisie Dobbs books was such a thrill to find and it was amazing that I was heading to dispose of the bag of books, for I had one to share as well as take. Have you seen any of these little libraries?
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Dear Penny, I haven’t. Perhaps the wonderful trend hasn’t reached Independence. I know that a group started this somewhere in the states and if I go on line I could even find directions for how to build a shelter for the books, but I think I’d need to ask my brother’s help in doing that. It’s a thought tough. Peace.
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If memory serves me correctly, this movement was started in Hudson, WI, just over the border from your (and my) beloved town of Stillwater. Once you can get online, you might want to check the site out, Dee, for its an interesting history of how these came about. I was surprised when I first noticed one, and then they suddenly seemed to be sprouting all around. I think they are meant more for foot traffic and the neighborhoods they are situated in, so, a little hard to see when driving a car. At any rate, it is a fun and interesting project. Have a great day.
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No Penny I have never seen one of these around our suburbs. Love the idea of taking one and giving one in return!!
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Good to see you tonight, Mary Anne.
I’ve seen two in your suburb, the one above being one of them. It is on a corner, near the north side of the tracks. One is on Garfield in Hinsdale, a block or two south of the tracks. I’m on a mission now to find more. 🙂
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I am so happy to see these tiny, free bookstores and think they look like something out of a fairy tale. You made a good choice with the Maisie Dobbs. I would love to send you any of my Winspear books postage free before they go to the thrift store. But you already have sufficient books, I’m sure!
Have a peaceful weekend. We hit 99 degrees this past week and the vapors finally got me!!!
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That is probably one reason they appeal to me so much, Marilyn; a fairy tale! Love it. I’m looking forward to spending some more time with Maisie Dobbs and how sweet of you to think of me and these books. Right now – I have more than enough books, but, I’m sure the thrift store can make good use of them for a good cause – and who knows. They just might make their way to me eventually through these Little Free Libraries.
Ugh! 99 and I’m imagining, to make matter worse, it is humid as well. I almost hate to say this, but, we are having such gorgeous weather this summer with only a few days even close to 90 degrees. Being midwesterners, we are already worried about what this will mean for winter. Sigh. Hope the vapors pass quickly, my friend, and that you are having a nice weekend.
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What fun! I know that you can’t resist a book Penny. My little one would think they were fairy houses, and so they are in their own way. It’s a wonderful idea.
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P.S. I’ve been a bit preoccupied. You will see why when you next visit me.
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Dear Juliet, as soon as I saw your comments here, I had a sense of what might be keeping you a bit preoccupied. Once again, congratulates and the very best of wishes for this precious new life. Wonderful news.
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I think these are great! I just saw one recently too but don’t remember where it was. I haven’t explored one yet. I can just imagine you back and forth across the road trying to decide which books to share.
I believe you and I (separately) saw a short on the news about it a couple of years ago. I emailed you as it made me think of you and you had seen the same segment as I had. Its such a great idea. I think one on the cutoff would be great!
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You have solved the mystery, Katy. Thank you, thank you, thank you for refreshing my memory. I knew as soon as I saw one of these little libraries exactly what it was, just not how I knew it. It is nice when the pieces to the puzzle finally fit.
I hope you find another Little Free Library, Katy, and have the opportunity to take a look inside. If you click onto the site, you can find where they are in your area.
We are thinking about it. I think it would be fun, and an outreach as well, to have one here. I’m sure I was quite a sight exchanging one book for another. Who else do you know who carries so many books in her car?
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Penny, what an amazing find. These are wonderful and we could do with them here!
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I’ll blow a few across the ocean to you, Kate. 🙂
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Oh my! How is it that I never heard of Miss Dimple? As someone who loves cozy mysteries, I will make up for that soon.
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Miss Dimple and her contemporaries (1943c) make for a heartwarming read, Susan. Delightful mysteries that I think you might enjoy.
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What a wonderful idea, Penny! As a former librarian I applaud any means to get people reading and sharing books. I’ve never seen or heard of any in the UK where most people dispose of their unwanted books at charity shops.
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It really is a wonderful idea, Perpetua, and affirming to hear your words as a former librarian. I was actually headed to a charity shop (Goodwill, in this case), with a bag of books to donate when I saw this little library. It was just a one for one exchange for me, but . . . I’ve driven by a few more times and may exchange my current “used” book one day. 🙂
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I LOVE THIS!!! That is such a great idea! I think i want to start one over here!
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Oh, Laura, I hope you do start one of these little libraries! Please let us know if you do. 🙂
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For sure!
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[…] have enjoyed Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs books, even procuring a copy from a Little Free Library box a few months ago. They are gentle mysteries set in the post WWI era and provide insight into […]
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