No library in the neighborhood? Build your own

For the love of books
There is a brick and mortar library in the neighborhood, but still, just five blocks away, there is a Little Free Library, a “take a book, return a book” exchange.

As part of our stay-at-home routine we walk around the neighborhood and every day we pass the Little Free Library box. Two weeks ago we put three books in the box and watched and waited to see how long they'd last.

The day after we put them in the box, one of them was gone. But then it took over a week for the second, and today, two weeks later, the third book was gone.

People love to read
Started in 2009 by Todd Bol of Hudson, Wisconsin, the Little Free Library network has spread. In 2020, there are "100,000 registered libraries in more than 100 countries worldwide." People like to read.

Though book exchanges are not a new idea, the Little Free Library keeps a registry of each through a community website.

Build your own
The project has inspired readers and carpenters alike. If you're interested in having a book sharing box in your neighborhood, the Little Free Library site has plans and tips for building and installing your library.

Not sure? There is a delightful gallery of images on their Instagram site.

Wondering if there's a book box in your neighborhood? The Little Free Library website includes a map page where you can look up your location. That’s where I discovered there are three within just a couple of miles of where I live.

Maybe there's one in your neighborhood?

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