Little Free Libraries

In Ace Hardware, Ahoskie, NC

In its most basic form, a little free library is a box of books where visitors can take one and leave one. However, some of them present themes or specialize in a certain genre of books. In this era of high tech, it is amazing how the concept has taken off, and it's international in scope.

Little free libraries became a fad after Todd Bol of Hudson, Wisconsin, decided to honor his mother, who had taught school and loved to read, by establishing a book exchange. To house his small collection of books, he designed a wooden box to look like a tiny red schoolhouse. The idea caught on and quickly spread. 

Map showing Little Free Libraries in the U,S.

As of a year ago, there were already 15,000 little free libraries. In a three-year period, it was estimated that over 1,650,000 books changed hands through these little libraries. For a fee, you can now register your little free library with the main organization, which will add your library to a GPS system and send you a standardized sign with their slogan. You can google it

for much more information. However, I've found there are little free libraries in my area that are not listed on the online maps or charts.

Anyone can start one. I don't know about you, but I like this concept. In my opinion, the more ways to access books, the better.

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