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The Little Free Library
There is a Little Free Library along the road from my house to my office. It is just a wooden box with a framed door at the end of someone’s driveway. Inconspicuous, really. But, I recognized it immediately as I sped by every day but I have never stopped, until today.
It lured me in, over the past year, to finally check out a good book. A free book.
If you have never seen a Little Free Library before now, please check out this website, littlefreelibrary.org. I saw the website through a Facebook link the other day and this Little Free Library was registered on the map. It’s what gave me the courage to stop and give it a try.
I don’t know why I was afraid to stop. I guess I felt like it wasn’t totally my neighborhood (I live in the next neighborhood over the hill). I guess I felt like I didn’t know the people that live in this house (you know what they say about strangers!). I guess it was just new and unknown so I was scared. But, I did it. I stopped. I got out of the car. And, I picked out two books.
TWO.
One for my son and one for me. It was easy to pick out a kid’s book. As a matter of fact, that was the most motivating power in stopping to get a book. If it was for a child, who could argue with that? Right? I took a few moments to look around the box and choose a good Dr. Seuss-type book. My son will like this one, I’m sure.
My book was a guilty pleasure. I didn’t pursue at all on my book, I just greedily (and quite randomly) chose the nearest paperback and quickly shut the glass frame to the library. I didn’t even read the back of the book to see the description until I got to my office this morning. At this point, the fear was sinking back in and my book choice was more of a “grab and go.” Silly me. No one was looking.
Do you have a Little Free Library in your neighborhood? Have you ever stopped to get a book?
The website is pretty great and even has pre-built library boxes and kits to make your own. I have a feeling my husband will be building me one soon. I love this idea.
Oh, and I’ll let you know if my book is any good later. We’ll see … it’s a little bit conspiracy theory-ish and I probably should have taken my time to find a different one. Oh, well. Next time!
That is very cool. Around here, the library would need to darn water- and snow-tight, and yet in the summer allow some circulation (humidity). But hmm, that might be a fun project.
The website has a few different models and templates. I was impressed. I think it is a great idea!
Those free libraries are so cool!
I agree!
Great idea. But what libraries aren’t free?
Point made. This one is free from a building, a library card and everything else. Haha
Pedantry side, this is still a brilliant idea. Free the words!
🙂
What a brilliant idea.
I think so too.
Such a great idea. I’ve seen one in Andorra but nowhere else yet. But I do go in for Bookcrossing http://www.bookcrossing.com/, which encourages the free exchange of books by ‘releasing them in the wild’. So good to share books!
Releasing them into the wild — good one!
What a fun idea! I’ve never heard of this. Do you just take it back when you’re done? Like a redbox? <— feeling stupid for making that comparison.
LOL — like a Redbox! Ya! And, you can swap it or bring a few more or whatever. Freestyle. 🙂
I have heard about the Little Free Libraries — but have never seen one! I’ll have to check out the link you shared to see if there’s one near me. I think they are a terrific idea, and I so enjoyed your tale of how you wondered and worried and then finally stopped! 🙂 I bet your son enjoyed his book, what a great mom!
He loved that book! And, now, we are addicted to the little library. 🙂