Take a Book, Leave a Book
Take a Book, Leave a Book
Sometimes it looks like a birdhouse or a mailbox, but peek inside these little “houses” and you’ll find books…free books!
Little Free Library is a movement that began in 2009 in Wisconsin. Todd Bol built a model of a one-room schoolhouse in honor of his mother who was a teacher.
He filled it with books and put it on a post in his front yard. His neighbors and friends loved it so much that he built several more and gave them away. Each one had a sign that said FREE BOOKS. This was just the beginning of the movement which began to gain national attention in 2011. It was during that year that nearly 400 little libraries stretched across the United States.
Today there are more than 40,000 little libraries found across the United States and 70 other countries. Their popularity grew so quickly because of the simple concept of “Take a book, leave a book!”
Recently I discovered that my hometown of Canton, MI has two little libraries. One is located in Flodin Park and the other is located on private property within a subdivision called Cherry Hill Village. Use the mapping system on the Little Free Library website to find libraries near you. It’s easy to use, just type in your zip code or click on the “near me” button and the map will show all libraries in your area.
Starting a little free library takes 5 easy steps:
- Identify a location and a caretaker
- Build or buy a library
- Register your library on the website
- Build support within your community
- Add your library to the world map
To find out more about Little Free Libraries, please visit their website. There is so much more to learn!
How about you? Have you seen a Little Free Library in your community? Have you taken a book and left a book?
This sounds like fun! I’m going to go and look some up. Thanks for information!
I know where two are one I pass by every day going to work. Cute idea but haven’t used it
It’s a great idea. I’m going to look at ours today.
The only Little Library I’ve seen was in Grand Haven, MI and was super cute! I was contemplating taking a book to read on my vacation :). I should see if any are around here because I definitely have books I could donate.
There are two little libraries up by me and I LOVE it! One is filled with children’s books and the other with a wide variety. I actually took a book from one a few weeks ago and plan to leave one when I’m out that way next. Such a great idea!
That’s cool that you’ve used one.
I have seen these before! So cool!
Thanks for stopping by!
I love these. I have noticed several new one in our neighborhood. Most sponsored by our high school. Such a smart and creative idea.
That’s awesome that the high school is sponsoring.
I LOVE this idea and I wish more communities would take part in it. If we had more kids in our neighborhood and didn’t live in a rainforest I would definitely build a little free library for the neighborhood. Unfortunately, with all the rain we get here, not only would the library be destroyed but so would the books.