How to Start a Little Free Library in Your Community
Are you always looking for ways to build literary community? If so, maybe starting a little free library is on your list of ideas. The Little Free Library nonprofit recently estimated that the program and its supporters help share more than 70 million books each year. If you want to increase and encourage literacy in your neighborhood, a little library just might be the perfect way to work toward that mission while also decluttering your bookshelf.
Choose a spot for your little free library
Whether you want to place your library in your front yard, at the nearby park, or by the bus stop down the street, choosing its location is an essential first step. Boost your library’s impact by putting it in a busy area where plenty of book lovers will stroll past. Plus, make sure you choose somewhere that is convenient for you to visit and take care of frequently. Don’t forget to check with your local government or homeowners association to ensure the location you choose meets regulations.
Decide if you want to manage your library on your own or with others
Do you want to be the solo librarian of your own little free library, or do you think it would be even more fun with bookish friends? When setting up a little free library, you name one or multiple “stewards”—make the process even more communal by asking friends or neighbors to pitch in on the library’s upkeep.
Build or purchase a library
Selecting and building a little library is a fun activity in itself. If you or a friend have woodworking skills, you can build any library you imagine. Otherwise, there’s still lots of whimsical options in the little free library store—ensemble a kit in your favorite color in just a few hours.
Gather books to get started
What’s even more important than the structure of your little library? Its contents, of course. Start with your own bookshelf—what are you ready to pass along to other readers? If you’re like us at Read Poetry, you probably need an excuse to clear your shelf for all your future reads. Beyond your own books, you can also ask friends and family, partner with a local business to host a book drive, or seek out eclectic, budget-friendly finds at thrift stores and garage sales. This curation is the fun part, giving you the chance to mix and match genres, literary time periods, and more.
Set up your account
If you buy a little free library through their online store, it’s already registered. If you create your own, there’s just one more step—registering it here. This lets you add your book-sharing box to the map to be a part of the official community.
Spread the word about your library
Amplify your little free library’s impact by posting about it on social media, hosting a small event, or putting up fliers around the community. People are sure to flock to the literary haven you’ve created.
Want to see what little free libraries are already nearby and browse (or add to) their selections? Check out the little free library world map—which showcases that there are little free libraries in more than one hundred countries.