While perusing this month's O, the Oprah Magazine, I came across a brief article on a very special organization behind Sue's box. Apparently there's an international movement of "take a book, leave a book," neighborhood by neighborhood.
The Little Free Library is a charity that helps individuals (folks like you and me) foster literacy and build community in their neighborhoods. You can order kits from their site and place a miniature lending library on your property. Register your library with LFL to receive extra support. The organization also is active in providing books to the third world to promote global literacy.
Here are a few more adorable libraries to inspire you:
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| Habitat for the Humanities (clever, right?) |
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| A book barn! |
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| A very classy library. |
If you could custom-design a box for your yard, what would it look like? What books might you share with your neighbors?
Oh, loving this. So much. I didn't realize there was an actual organization that did this! What a wonderful way to spread the love of reading!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
What would we do with out Oprah's team alerting us to cool things? :-D
DeleteSince my neighborhood already has one, I thought the next best thing would be sharing it on my blog! It has been fun sharing books with neighbors.
I've seen this in the news too. It's an awesome idea. Since I give my books away on my blog, I probably wouldn't do one. But I love the idea of giving away books.
ReplyDeleteWhat's cool about the neighborhood box is how diverse the genres of sharing. It can be titles that appeal to young and old.
DeleteThat's so awesome. I've seen similar ideas in laundry rooms and waiting rooms too.
ReplyDeleteI like the community-building aspect of it--that it helps neighbors strike up conversations and build relationships.
DeleteI haven't heard of this, but it's wonderful! Thanks for sharing. I'll be checking it out.
ReplyDeleteThe kits are somewhat pricey, but they're very high quality materials, really solid construction to stand up to the weather. My neighbor's box is so cute, painted to match her eccentric house.
DeleteI've read about this before. I think it's a fabulous idea!
ReplyDeleteI thought it was my neighbor's idea alone and was pleasantly surprised to find out they're international!
DeleteI was talking to someone about this just last week. I haven't seen one in my neighborhood. Maybe I should start one!
ReplyDeleteI hope you do it, Tricia. It's a great way to give back to your community and also meet other book lovers.
DeleteI'm planning to put one of these up in front of my yard this summer. It's such an awesome idea!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I can't wait to hear how it enriches your neighborhood.
DeleteThis is really making my creative juices flow. If we could have an honor system, wouldn't that be so cool to do in our neighborhoods or our schools? Love it!
ReplyDeleteCheck out the Little Free Library link for more details on how they suggest running a library. It is essentially an honor system, and can be especially good for passing along books your kids outgrow.
DeleteThat is so sweet! If I had a house (instead of a triplex) I'd add: "build library box" to my to do list!
ReplyDeleteOn the site, there are some urbanites who got permission to put up boxes at laundromats and other places where neighbors gather. Just takes a little extra creativity and cooperation.
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