Years and years ago, across the state and in other places in the country, my children and I discovered the joy of the Little Free Library (LFL) movement. Little free libraries often take the form of book boxes mounted on posts, but they can be constructed out of anything, and library stewards often take it as a fun, personal challenge to create one from alternative materials – from repurposed newsboxes, to dollhouses, to hollowed trees, and more, but what they all have in common is that they are filled with books that are free for the taking.
Once my little ones realized that there were free books to be had, it mattered not if we happened upon a small structure on an unassuming lawn during a dog walk or along a busy city street while traffic whirled beside us. With those books and those possibilities in sight, those avid and rabid readers were plunging ahead on foot or launching themselves out of our mini van on Woodward Avenue and directing me to start circling the block – they were going to browse that collection.
When it comes to reading, I can nerd out with the best of them, and from the time I saw a free library, I held onto the secret desire to host one of my own. Imagine my delight when I received a grant through the Little Free Library organization to become a Little Free Library steward. A mostly assembled library arrived in the mail, and shortly after, a starter set of books was on its way, too. I commissioned my children to help me paint it, and once the frost had lifted in Michigan, we were able to install it and begin filling it with books. A few months later, we had a ribbon cutting and officially introduced our library to our neighborhood.
What I have learned is that not everyone – including avid reader friends – was familiar with this movement, so I thought I’d share some of the top things that Little Free Library stewards would like for you to know.
We really want you to take a book with no strings attached. While the general philosophy of the LFL is that you can take a book and leave a book, taking a book is not conditional upon you leaving one in its place. It’s not a swap. We have likely already read the books in the library, so we don’t expect to see them back. You can keep the book, or pass it on. If you see more than one that you like, take whatever you plan to read or treasure.
It’s not annoying if you stand and browse for a while. When we would first look at LFLs, I would glance around and wonder if the homeowner was getting antsy about us standing on their lawn for so long. I can now say that I’m honored to see someone taking a peek. One day, my daughter called me to tell me that a group of young adults were forming a horseshoe on our lawn. Upon closer glance, I realized that it was a class on a walking tour, and their teacher was explaining the purpose of my library. I wanted to run out and hug each of them. Please, linger over our collection, and take a book on your way.
Not all libraries are stocked equally. Sometimes I have piles of books that are waiting to go into my library once some of the stock moves on – I’m in a situation of book abundance. However, I have been to many public spaces – from schools to children’s hospitals – where library sharing boxes are empty and in need of books. While I’m blessed to not be located in much of a “book desert”, there are spaces where a few good books could do a world of good. If you don’t see space for your books in the first library you see, don’t assume your books aren’t needed. A good book should never go to waste.
Little Free Libraries are our small way of connecting our community. Many of us who host a LFL not only love reading, we believe in sharing that love, and we think that extending this love with people we might not meet face to face is our way of reaching out to those around us. When we share a book in our library, it’s our way of saying we care about you and that you matter here. We thank you for browsing, and hope you’ll be a regular visitor.
We really care about the books inside, and we hope you do, too. In the time since I started my library, I have had the honor of getting to know other stewards, and many of them talk about how they pick out special books that they have purchased specifically for their libraries. While some books are used books we are just ready to part with, often, the contents of our libraries have been acquired at our expense and are curated specifically to share a message or theme with the community. For instance, during Banned and Challenged Book Week in October, I purchased materials that had been previously challenged and crammed my library to bursting. The LFL Organization is very supportive, too – I have won contests to fill my books with “Read in Color” theme books (books devoted to diverse identities and social justice), and I have received copies of books featured on Good Morning America as part of the organization’s partnership with the show. Placing these books in a public space is kind of our way of putting our trust in our community – please don’t prank us, please shut the door behind you, and treat our books with tender care so they can wind up in the hands of many readers.
We think you should consider starting your own library. Anyone can put out a book-sharing vessel at their home or business, but they can also make the choice to officially register their library with the LFL organization. The organization is a wonderful support network whose aim is to expand access to books in communities around the globe. You can purchase a library through their website, glean tips, or just wing it and go your own way.
Use the LFL website or app and discover more book locations and events. Whether you’re traveling across the country or strolling through your own town, LFL has a listing of official libraries so you can always locate your next good read. Some stewards hold events and hosts give-aways and you can find these listed in the app as well. For instance, during the winter, one of our sister libraries a few blocks away was often filled with fuzzy socks to make for a cozy evening with a book, while we’ve added book stickers for trick or treaters and have surprises planned throughout the spring and summer. Want to know more? Follow my library, The Elm Street Branch on facebook, or find it on the map. You can start here or download the Little Free Library App: https://littlefreelibrary.org/map/
Sarah Pettigrew hosts a Little Free Library on 418 Elm Street, Wyandotte.
