Little Free Libraries
Let me begin by saying that I love to read.
I always have, even since I was a child. Getting lost in a book has been a favorite way to spend an afternoon, settle my mind before bed, or to help time go faster when traveling.
Along with this love, is a love of Little Free Libraries.
Officially established in 2012 in Minnesota as a non-profit, there are now over 200,000 across the world. In addition to the official trademarked LFLs, there are many book sharing stations in cafes, parks, hotels, airports, and in front of individual houses. Whether official or not, they promote sharing of books.
Reasons why I love Little Free Libraries:
Build community. Especially in a time where many people face an economic crisis and might not have the funds for new books, sharing is so important. To expand on this, many people have included pantry items because you can’t read a book if you’re hungry.
Exposure to different books. When you go to a bookstore, you typically gravitate towards your favorite genre but with a LFL? It’s luck of the draw! You never know what you’ll find, and that find might end up being your new favorite book.
Easy and accessible. Little Free Libraries make it easy to pass on the books you are finished with.
There are many throughout New Orleans and sometimes my husband, B.G. and I will go on a Little Free Library walk to distribute books we are finished with and maybe take one or the other home with us. In one LFL, we even found some foam letters for B.G.!
For more information on Little Free Libraries, please visit www.littlefreelibary.org. There is also a convenient app that shows a map of all registered LFLs in a given area. Very fun for travel especially!
Screenshot of the ap showing LFLs near me!
