My Own Little Free Library
Open for Business
After touring and admiring
so many Little Free Libraries, it’s no surprise that I wanted one of my
own. Well, this summer my dream came
true when my husband built me my own Little Free Library! The inspiration and centerpiece of the little
library is my sister’s rotted 100+-year-old basement window, which my husband
painstakingly restored.
Be sure and stop by my
library and others if you’re in the Coeur d’Alene, Idaho area. I’ve added my
location on the Little Free Library Map:
https://littlefreelibrary.org/ourmap/ Look us up by zip code 83814.
What is
a Little Free Library? Below is an excerpt I lifted right
from a LFL flyer.
Although the concept of book exchanges has been around
for ages, the term “little free library” was first coined in 2010 when Tod Bol
of Hudson, Wisconsin, as a tribute to his mother, built a replica of a one-room
schoolhouse, filled it with books and put it on a post in his front yard with a
sign that said “FREE BOOKS.” His friends and neighbors loved it so much that he
built several more and the idea spread like wildfire until it has now become a
world-wide movement. Bol later founded littlefreelibrary.org, a non-profit
organization with a web site where you can register your library for a small
fee. It is estimated that only about 1
in 10 libraries actually register yet as of early 2017, the organization
reported that over 50,000 libraries have been registered in all 50 states and
over 70 countries, with thousands of new applications pouring in every month. A
literal “literary” world-wide movement!
Want your own Little Free Library?
If you live in the Spokane,
WA or Coeur d’Alene, ID area and want your own Little Free Library but don’t
have a husband or handy friend who can build it, I may have just the solution
for you. Little Library Builder of Spokane has been building LFLs for years.
In Jan’s own words: “My sister and I built our first library three years ago and
had so much fun we ended up building a few more. Then a gentleman from
the Inlander saw one of our
libraries, wrote a lovely article about us, and we've been building them ever
since. We recently installed our 50th library and we're still having fun!”
I’ve toured a number of their libraries—and
they are awesome! Many of them are made
to resemble the owners’ homes, down to the last amazing details. If a “mini-me” LFL is not right for you or if
have another plan in mind, not to worry.
These talented ladies also custom build other designs.
You can contact them about ordering your own
library at littlelibrarybuilder@gmail.com or call 509-570-3195. Tell them Annette from
ReadingintheGarden.blogspot.com sent you.
Here
are a couple examples of their masterpieces—both matching the homes.
Making it Official
If you want to make your
library official, you’ll have to register it at http://www.littlefreelibrary.org/ By purchasing the Little Free Library sign (a
little over $40 for a small sign), you will be registered in the system, which
allows you to add your location on the Little Free Library world map. As a registered Little Free Library steward,
you can also be part of the exclusive Facebook community for LFL stewards, and
you can sign up to receive inspirational emails about Little Free Libraries
everywhere.
Library Hunting
There are now over 50,000
registered Little Free Libraries in over 70 countries! However, you don’t have to own a Little Free
Library to spread the love of reading. If
you prefer just visiting them, check out the map and find a location near you.
It’s fun to make a day of it as I have a few times in the past or locate them
while you’re on vacation. It’s like
finding a hidden treasure!
My Little Free Library Tours
Happy Reading,
Happy Little Free Library
Hunting,
Annette
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