Little Free Library
 A Little Free Library in Easthampton, Massachusetts | |
| Founder | Todd Bol [1] |
|---|---|
Key people | Todd Bol, Rick Brooks |
| Website | littlefreelibrary |
Little Free Libraries are a community movement in the United States and worldwide that offers free books housed in small containers to members of the local community. They are also referred to as community book exchanges, book trading posts, pop-up libraries, and Noox (Neighbourhood bOOk eXchange), amongst other terms.[3]
History
The idea was popularized in Hudson, Wisconsin when Todd Bol mounted a wooden container designed to look like a school house on a post on his lawn as a tribute to his mother, who was a book lover and school teacher. Bol shared his idea with his partner Rick Brooks who found many efficient ways to spread the word, and the idea spread rapidly. Library owners can create their own library box, usually about the size of a doll house, or purchase one from the website. Libraries may be registered for a fee and assigned a number at the organization's website. Libraries can be found through their GPS coordinates. Owners receive a sign that reads "Little Free Library". They often have the phrase, "Take a Book. Leave a Book."[4][5]
As of February 2013, all 50 states and 40 countries worldwide have been involved in the literary program.[6] The original goal was the creation of 2,150 Little Libraries, which would surpass the number of libraries founded by Andrew Carnegie. As of January 2013, there are between 5,000 to 6,0000 Little Libraries worldwide. An estimated 1,650,000 books were donated and borrowed from 2010-2013.[7]
The Little Free Library Index [1] is used to find locations and detailed information about the site.
Libraries have been donated to rural areas that have no libraries of their own, or that have been ravaged by disasters. Each Library is uniquely built incorporating materials from the community it is located in.[8]
Censure
In late 2012, the village of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin denied permission to potential Little Free Library projects and required that an existing Little Free Library be removed because of a village ordinance that prohibited structures in front yards. Village trustees also worried about inappropriate material being placed in the boxes.[9] However, in August 2013, the village officially approved a new ordinance that specifically allowed Little Free Library boxes to be put up on private property.[10]
See also
References
- ^ Durst, Kristen (7 March 2012). "'Little Free Libraries' Hope For Lending Revolution". All Things Considered. National Public Radio. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
- ^ "Little Free Library". Retrieved 27 August 2013.
- ^ Gollner, K., Webster, T. & Nathan, L. "The Neighborhood Book Exchange: Community Catalyst or Media Hype?" (PDF). iConference 2013 Proceedings (pp. 697 - 700 ). doi: 10.9776/13323. University of British Columbia/University of Illinois IDEALS. Retrieved 2013-05-08.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ WIS. MAN'S LITTLE FREE LIBRARY COPIED WORLDWIDE
- ^ NBC nightly News
- ^ Kirch, Claire (Feb 08, 2013). "Building Momentum for Little Free Libraries". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2013-05-08.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "AboutUs"
- ^ Ellis, Rehema (10 March 2012). "Using books to build community". The Daily Nightly. Madison, Wisconsin. MSNBC. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
- ^ Stingl, Jim (10 November 2012). "Village slaps endnote on Little Libraries". Wisconsin Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
- ^ "News & Notes: Aug. 7". Whitefish Bay Now. 07 August 2013. Retrieved 09 September 2013.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help)
External links
