The Little Free Library Movement Expands Book Access for All
Image by Jo Ramsay
Every now and then, you may notice a small, bird-house-like hutch full of books on a neighbourhood stroll. Not only do these installations encourage reading, but Little Free Libraries also work to bring local communities together. Take a book, leave a book — it’s as simple as that.
What started in 2009 with Todd H. Bol building a library on a stick in Hudson, Wisconsin as a tribute to his mother has now grown into a movement with over 100,000 Little Free Libraries all over the world. If you’re on the hunt for the nearest little library around you, the organization maintains an online map of Little Free Library locations around the globe and also provides resources on how to build and maintain libraries.
Many libraries include a notebook for people to leave comments about the books they’ve read, connecting neighbours and fostering a sense of community. The great thing about the “take a book, leave a book” policy is that the books are always changing and you never know what to expect—the treasures inside are always a surprise.
Looking to have a library in your front yard? You’ve got a few options. If you know your way around a toolbox, you can build your own and register it or, alternatively, buy a kit from the Little Free Library organization’s website. The organization’s starter kits will help you install a long-lasting, low-maintenance library that will keep books safe from whatever nature can throw at it. There is also a lot of support and guidance for people who are looking to start their own libraries, including a Facebook group that connects all library stewards together to share tips.
To get cracking on building your neighbourhood’s newest book hub or track down the one nearest you, check out the Little Free Library organization’s website to learn more.
Freya Abbas
studies linguistics and literature at the University of Toronto and is passionate about promoting the arts in her community. She is the lead writer of INKspire, which is an organization that facilitates free poetry workshops for youth. She likes experimenting with different kinds of writing, from plays to essays. Her favourite books to read are historical fiction novels.