Where is your neighborhood Little Free Library?

August 05, 2012

Where is your neighborhood Little Free Library?

Photo: "Silverlake's Little Free Library" by Michael R Perry

In 2010, Todd Bol and Rick Brooks joined forces to share their passion for literacy in a community-based way. They created Little Free Library, which encourages people to create spaces, often on their front lawns, where they can donate and borrow books. (See above picture as an example.)

Others saw the benefits of having such a simple and accessible book exchange on their street and created their own. This growing movement is bringing free books to neighborhoods worldwide.

Potential positives I see:

Folks have a place to put books they don’t want anymore and know they will be well used.
Lenders and borrowers can see what their neighborhood likes to read. (Could book-group discussions come out of this?)
A Little Free Library Cafe right next to it! (OK, an honor-system, weather-proof espresso machine may be too much to ask. Would a nearby for-pay lemonade stand do?)

Do you have one in your neighborhood? If not, are you considering starting one? If you don’t have a front lawn, like many in cities or any apartment dweller, can you think of another fitting spot?

To learn more, go to the Little Free Library official site. Their mission (as stated on their home page):

-To promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges worldwide.
-To build a sense of community as we share skills, creativity, and wisdom across generations.
-To build more than 2,510 libraries around the world - more than Andrew Carnegie!

“Portland book lovers nurture neighborhood camaraderie with mini libraries” by Kelly House, The Oregonian, December 11, 2011
“Occupy your sidewalk with a Micro-library” by Amanda Hess, GOOD Culture blog, December 28, 2011
“Little Libraries have people thinking (and reading) outside the box” by Ben Jones, USA TODAY, February 28, 2012
“Cape Cod condo mini library fosters resident ties” by Robert Gold, Cape Cod Times, April 15, 2012, as seen on Boston.com

August 05, 2012 in Books, Community, Libraries, Literacy | Permalink

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Hello and welcome!

My name is Kristin Gorski. I recently earned my doctorate (EdD) in instructional technology and media. My research focuses on technology and literacies, writing in digital spaces, and how media literacy may support academic literacy (among other incredibly interesting topics). On occasion, I’m also a freelance writer and editor. “Write now is good.” is my personal blog about writing, creativity and inspiration (with healthy doses of technology in relevant places). I started it in blogging's heyday (2006) and still post to it, time permitting. If you'd like to collaborate on a project, have writing/technology/creativity info to share, or want to say, "Hi," contact me at kgwritenow (at) yahoo dot com. To read more about me, click on the "ABOUT" link below.