Do you have a free little library in your area?

[Bfrisco]

There's one that isn't too far from me. It's near a coffee shop, I think.

[Maud Fitch]

We are well stocked with public libraries in my city; some are small and housed in historical buildings and others are in huge modern edifices. Many children's playgroups have small libraries loaning books on parenting to new parents.

I remember years ago there was a trend to leave a book behind for someone else. The reader left it on a park bench, in an airport lounge, the dentist waiting room, the local café. Don't know if it's still done today.

My all-time favourite is THE FOOTPATH LIBRARY. Founded in Australia by Sarah Garnett in 2003, The Footpath Library grew out of sorrow, a simple observation, and the desire to make a difference. When family friend Benjamin Andrew died unexpectedly, Sarah responded to her grief by volunteering with a group serving meals to homeless and disadvantaged people in Sydney’s CBD, Australia.

One evening, Sarah noticed a man sitting under a streetlight reading a novel while waiting for the food van. She started bringing him a few books and it was from this humble beginning that the original memorial The Benjamin Andrew Footpath Library grew. The Footpath Library collects donated books from the public and publishers and gives them to those who don’t have access to good quality reading material. They are literally spread out on the footpath for browsing.

[obiebookworm]

We are well stocked with public libraries in my city; some are small and housed in historical buildings and others are in huge modern edifices. Many children's playgroups have small libraries loaning books on parenting to new parents.

I remember years ago there was a trend to leave a book behind for someone else. The reader left it on a park bench, in an airport lounge, the dentist waiting room, the local café. Don't know if it's still done today.

My all-time favourite is THE FOOTPATH LIBRARY. Founded in Australia by Sarah Garnett in 2003, The Footpath Library grew out of sorrow, a simple observation, and the desire to make a difference. When family friend Benjamin Andrew died unexpectedly, Sarah responded to her grief by volunteering with a group serving meals to homeless and disadvantaged people in Sydney’s CBD, Australia.

One evening, Sarah noticed a man sitting under a streetlight reading a novel while waiting for the food van. She started bringing him a few books and it was from this humble beginning that the original memorial The Benjamin Andrew Footpath Library grew. The Footpath Library collects donated books from the public and publishers and gives them to those who don’t have access to good quality reading material. They are literally spread out on the footpath for browsing.

Really cool! Thanks for sharing!!

[yalonde]

I didn't have a clue what a littlelibrary was until i clicked on the site provided. We don't have one where i live, but we have many libraries in my city. I have about 5 or more libraries within a 10 minute drive. I think it is a good idea for those areas with not many libraries.

[JenniferBoyce]

There are many in my area. It's really wonderful; sometimes it seems as if you can't even walk down the street without encountering a little free library. They are such an amazing concept; what a great way to spread the love of books!

[Loveabull]

That would be a nifty idea to suggest at work. We have a huge employee kitchen and a core bunch of readers. Only problem I forsee is getting bogged down in books that aren't going anywhere. Then again if that happens I could take the less popular titles and swap them at the library used shelves. You couldn't have that idea in a public area in our town. Somebody would take the books and steal the shelves too.

[cam_gold]

There are two revolving book racks in my local library that are dedicated to free book exchange, but there is rarely anything but romance novels on those racks. Of course, if one is an avid romance novel reader, that is all good and well. I supposed those paperback Harlequins, Regencies, and Historicals are pretty consumable. I assume people are holding on to their other books.

[Winter]

The theater in my town has something like that. They have a little spot under the stairs where people can leave books, take them to borrow them, or even just take them. I don't know how much success it has gotten, but it's a cool idea.

[RILENTLISS]

Yes the Moreno Valley City library. It's free to join and check out, but you have to pay fees if your return is late.

[shinjiblue]

[quote="Fran"]I think my desk at work probably qualifies as a little library - books circulate, take brief rests & some have kinda put down roots, but everyone in my building knows it as the place to go if you want to borrow a book or pass on one you've read.[/quote]

That definitely qualifies. Great idea.

[jamespoet]

I'd never heard of this; I honestly thought you were talking about the public library. That is such a cool idea.

[AMP76]

It would be neat if we did, but we live in the country, our closest neighbor is half a mile away, so it would still be a bit of a hike if there was one. My closest public library is 35 miles away.

[SoftCoyote]

Not that I know of. Then again I do live in a college town so there are a ton of Libraries in my area. So people probably don't really feel the need to start their own.
Then again, I myself let people borrow books, so I am the library for some people.

[annatmitchell]

Yes!!! It's in walking distance actually:)

-- 01 Apr 2014, 23:52 --

Yes!!! It's in walking distance actually:)

[samuyama]

My library is just a mile from my house, I love it!