Little Free Libraries: Don’t Let The Word Little Fool You

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When I first saw a magazine story a few years ago about Little Free Libraries, before I read it, I jumped ahead to look at the photos. Yes, it was true. For the most part, they were no bigger than an apple crate. (With a roof!) The cutest things you’d ever seen. Maybe I’m just partial to tiny things. Like I would take a hobbit house over a palace any day of the week. But that’s me. What would be so appealing about a little library? Isn’t bigger better?

No. Of course not. Not when it comes to books. Because even a library with just one book is a magic carpet ride into a whole new world. A WHOLE NEW WORLD! That, my friend, is gigantic. One book can change your mood, your perspective, your life. That ain’t small.

So when I found out that my very own town had a Little Free Library, I had to check it out. I took a walk (with a book of my own to contribute) and found this beautiful library. It was made (by the owner) to look to look like a miniature version of the owners’ house. There was a shelf for adult books and a shelf for children’s books, and a little sign that said Take a Book, Leave a Book. On the ground next to the library, there was a box to collect jeans for a nearby shelter and colored chalk drawings and messages left on the sidewalk by young patrons. This compact structure filled with books was a veritable modern day water-cooler. Lots of community happened around this hobbit-house of a library.

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When I later spoke to the owner, Sara Liptack, I asked her if anything surprising had happened since she open its doors. She said, “The incredible support from the community. We have many regulars that keep our stash rotating, and we often get the community involved in do-good events (like a coat drive, school supplies drive, and currently a jeans drive).” Sara also wrote to two children’s book publishers and they have completely stocked the kids shelf with brand new books.

So, if you’re ever walking down the street minding your own business and out of the blue like a mirage a Little Library pops into view and through its tiny window you see a sign that says Take a Book and you do just that only to find yourself, once home, curled up in your favorite fluffy chair being transported to Middle Earth, a Galaxy Far Away, the 1820s or India, when your plan was to eat a bowl of spaghetti in front of the television, that’s called magic. And there’s nothing little about that.

 

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  1. Reblogged this on Jane Wilson.

  2. Love this article, Eva. And here I thought my hometown of Victoria, BC was unique in having several of these “Little Free Libraries” scattered all over my city! They are not only miniature little houses but several cupboards as well. AND so far I haven’t seen any copies of “The Memory Box” left behind. . .:)

    1. Oh Judee, you’re so lucky! So much magic in your town. Do you borrow from them?

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