History of the Little Free Library

IMAGE: Little Free Library

 

In its most basic form, a Little Free Library is a box full of books where anyone may stop by and pick up a book and bring back another book to share. It's a  neighbourhood book exchange. It’s a place where neighbours share their favourite books.

In 2009, Tod Bol decided to build a model schoolhouse as a tribute to his mother, a former school teacher who loved to read. He built it from recycled materials, filled it with books and placed it in his front garden in Wisconsin, USA with a sign that read ‘Little Free Library.’


Tod Bol's 1st little library

He made more little houses and gave them to family and friends and the idea for a global network of Little Free Libraries was born.

The most often quoted benefits of Little Free Libraries

• People meet more neighbours and passers-by than they have in years.
• They often spend time getting to know people as well as books.
• They value the free-wheeling exchange of books, especially because they are often surprised by the variety and quality of the collections.
• They like giving as much as –or perhaps even more than—taking books.
•  Little Free Libraries are likely to have a positive influence on community quality of life and social capital.
• Small, local business owners report that Little Free Libraries help them attract and keep customers.
• Children, youth and adults of all ages and backgrounds can share in the give and take. People of widely diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds participate in this grassroots effort.

You can find out more about the Little Free Library here .

This is linked up at Read With Me