A Year in the Life of the Little Free Library Movement
January 1, 2013 You – and thousands of other friends – pushed this network far beyond what we ever envisioned when we set our original goal of 2,510 Little Libraries to exceed the number of libraries supported by Andrew Carnegie.We’re growing so fast that it’s hard to keep up!
You may have seen or heard about us in more than 900 media articles, news broadcasts and blogs reaching tens of millionsof people. Nearly two million people visited this website; between 4,000 and 32,000 per day. The movement has nearly 21,000 Facebook subscribers, growing by 300 to 400 each week.
But here’s the more important and amazing news. Our conservative estimate of Little Free Libraries in the world is between 5,000 and 6,000 in 36 countries. We estimate than at least 1,650,000 books were donated and borrowed between January, 2010 and today. For every book donated or taken to read, we believe that five to ten people stopped and perused the selection. That translates to between 8,250,000 and 16,500,000 visits.
Other Highlights in 2012
Little Free Library was officially incorporated as an independent Wisconsin-based nonprofit in May and received tax-exempt status from the IRS in September. We also:
Donated nearly 100 Libraries to communities, groups and individuals
Expanded the benefits and resources for stewards with the new Steward's Kit and Registration packet
Established a Little Free Library office, warehouse and studio (No more building and painting outside
in the cold winter!)
Were awarded a two-year, $70,000 grant from AARP to address the need for connections for socially
isolated and vulnerable adults 50+
You may have seen or heard about us in more than 900 media articles, news broadcasts and blogs reaching tens of millionsof people. Nearly two million people visited this website; between 4,000 and 32,000 per day. The movement has nearly 21,000 Facebook subscribers, growing by 300 to 400 each week.
But here’s the more important and amazing news. Our conservative estimate of Little Free Libraries in the world is between 5,000 and 6,000 in 36 countries. We estimate than at least 1,650,000 books were donated and borrowed between January, 2010 and today. For every book donated or taken to read, we believe that five to ten people stopped and perused the selection. That translates to between 8,250,000 and 16,500,000 visits.
Other Highlights in 2012
Little Free Library was officially incorporated as an independent Wisconsin-based nonprofit in May and received tax-exempt status from the IRS in September. We also:
Donated nearly 100 Libraries to communities, groups and individuals
Expanded the benefits and resources for stewards with the new Steward's Kit and Registration packet
Established a Little Free Library office, warehouse and studio (No more building and painting outside
in the cold winter!)
Were awarded a two-year, $70,000 grant from AARP to address the need for connections for socially
isolated and vulnerable adults 50+
There's Still More to the Story...
WI builder Peter Shively meets
Russian news team.
Two new documentary films were released: Because It’s Small and A Small Wooden Box: The Little Free Library Movement. You can show them or any of 30 other videos on YouTube in your community.
We began a partnership with Books for Africa to provide Little Libraries with containers of books. A Russian news crew filmed us for a broadcast to as many as 120 million homes worldwide.
We partnered with Gaylord Brothers, an international supplier to libraries, museums and higher education institutions, to offer a special Little Free Libraries in their global catalogue.
This is but a sampling of the many ways the Little Free Library idea and movement have grown. Thank you for being part of all this. We cherish the chance to see your stories, letters and pictures, and welcome your suggestions.
We began a partnership with Books for Africa to provide Little Libraries with containers of books. A Russian news crew filmed us for a broadcast to as many as 120 million homes worldwide.
We partnered with Gaylord Brothers, an international supplier to libraries, museums and higher education institutions, to offer a special Little Free Libraries in their global catalogue.
This is but a sampling of the many ways the Little Free Library idea and movement have grown. Thank you for being part of all this. We cherish the chance to see your stories, letters and pictures, and welcome your suggestions.
