What Are Those Cute, Colorful “Little Free Libraries” You See Around Here?

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by Robin Ragland

Emilia_LFLBefore you download that next book or magazine to your e-reader for vacation, a long weekend at the beach or just an afternoon at the pool, consider visiting one our local Little Free Libraries in the neighborhood.

Perhaps even install one of your own!

I’ve just described the premise for how each library operates as a “take a book, return that same book or another” gathering place where neighbors share their favorite literature and stories . . . for free!

I saw my first Little Free Library (LFL) while one vacation a few years, and thought it was a wonderful idea.  When I got home, I visited their website http://littlefreelibrary.org, and learned the first library was built by Todd Bol of Hudson, Wisconsin in 2009 as a tribute to his mother.  Being a retired teacher, it was only fitting that the library resembled a one- room school house.  Todd soon had partners who had likewise been inspired by various forms of free public access to reading.   The non-profit organization has passed a number of growth milestones as the concept continues to catch-on.  As of January, 2015 there were at least 25,000 registered libraries world-wide, and thousands more being built.

While walking my dog around the neighborhood, I spotted my first LFL in Virginia-Highland.

I excitedly went home and looked again at the map of registered libraries.  Guess what . . . we have four!  Of course I then deliberately routed my dog walks to visit each one.  Along the way I discovered additional LFLs that are available, but not formally registered. Some were built from a kit ordered from LFL.  Others were handcrafted.  A few are decorated to resemble the larger home to which they belong.  Several are dedicated or named for someone special.  They are all unique in some special way.

I decided to write a series of articles to share the individual stories behind some of them.  The first belongs to librarians Chris and Tom Sandman at 1066 Maryland Ave, who discovered LFLs while driving through Decatur a few years back.  They were inspired to install their library to encourage the 30+ children who live nearby to read and share.  It also gives a reason for their two grandchildren who live two doors down from their house to visit their grandparents more frequently. Who better to be their first patron than their granddaughter Emilia? (She’s the little girl in the picture)

They found a way for their granddaughters in California to be involved with their LFL by including them when choosing which style of library to put in their yard. And they have continued to stay engaged. In Chris’s own words:

“They have eagerly asked me, via Skype, to walk to the LFL, with computer in hand, let them pick out a book, go back into the house and read it to them….They sit listening and looking at the pictures as if we were in the same room! As the one neighbor said, “books bring people together!”

As hoped, it has been also proven to be a popular LFL with near-by children.  Kids love coming by to pick out “new” books.  In addition, it’s a destination for visitors to Virginia-Highland, as well as those providing home and yard maintenance.  Patrons visit by walking, biking and driving in order to borrow and donate books.

One thing I’ve learned the librarians have in common is they keep tabs on each other’s libraries–especially the types of books available.  Chris shared that a Midtown neighbor rode his bike over with a tote bag over his shoulder.  His LFL library is garden-focused, and he was seeking to make some trades.

The Sandman LFL library has been consistently full since they put it up, but their biggest challenge is keeping enough children’s books available.  As with many who install an LFL, they have a ready supply of books around the house to donate when they first begin, but before long they really depend on visitors not only taking books, but donating them as well.  They are always particularly heartened to see neighbor children contribute their own used and loved books.

Again quoting Chris: “I saw a couple of neighbor girls come down to the library, their arms loaded with their own used and loved books. That was great to see!”

So next time you happen to notice one of the LFL, feel free to browse and take a book, but please also help keep the libraries full through donations.  If you are the owner of a LFL, and want to tell your story, I’d love to hear and share it.  [email protected]

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