I’ve wanted a Little Free Library ever since I ran across my first one at a park years ago. Well, Honey and the boys surprised me with a kit last Spring (as in 2018!). It needed to be painted, partially assembled and installed, and other more time sensitive projects kept popping up. For my Christmas gift, I asked only to have my Little Free Library completed. Honey painted it before the holiday and then installed it after our trip to Savannah last December.
A Little Free Library is a “take a book, return a book” free book exchange. They come in many shapes and sizes, but the most common version is a small wooden box of books. Anyone may take a book or bring a book to share. Little Free Library book exchanges have a unique, personal touch. There is an understanding that real people are sharing their favorite books with their community; Little Libraries have been called “mini-town squares.”
Anyone may contribute or take books. The more the merrier! If you take a book (or two) from a Library, you do not need to return that exact book. However, in order to keep the Little Library full of good choices for the whole neighborhood, the next time you swing by the Library bring a few books to share. Little Library book exchanges function on the honor system; everyone contributes to ensure there are always quality books inside. This way, we all win!
I have been enjoying this treasure for seven months and it just keeps getting better and better. There are some days that I walk to the end of the driveway and forget to even check the mail because I just want to pour over new titles and finds. At times I felt like I was the last human reading paper books, but it seems there are plenty of others out there if my library is any indication. I add our own books as we finish them, and often take one out of the library to save for my next read.
Honey painted the library the same color as the house, and inside the same color as the doors on the house. This was a kit from Little Free Library, and these were the few books we started with in December.
I tried to be thoughtful and intentional with the library, keeping in mind the neighbors I figured would frequent it. It is placed on our side street, away from the busy corner. Honey added a dog hook because many of the people out and about around here are walking their fur babies. Since the photo above, I have also added a mason jar of small dog treats. We installed a motion sensitive light in the roof of the library because it was getting so dark so early when we first put it out this winter. Finally, I welcome books of all types and try to keep a good mix. We have children’s books, a variety of fiction, and a few reference titles. I also have a guest book where some neighbors have started a wish list.
The Little Free Library has brought me so much joy over the last seven months! I really can’t think of a better Christmas gift that I’ve ever received. And, to think I get to share my love of reading with my neighbors and community too. There are more than 80,000 registered Little Free Library book-sharing boxes in 91 countries worldwide and one of those is on my little corner of suburban Atlanta.
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