In the Media
Small, but Mighty: Invigorating communities one free book at a time
Click the pic to see the story.
November, 2012 Erin Johansen, Beloit Magazine
Beloit College students, staff and friends in the cityside near campus have discovered Little Libraries in a big way. The Beloit Rotary did, too, and soon the idea spread not only to local businesses, a sorority and public officials, but throughout the college's alumni network--to the Heart and Soul project in Vermont, a statewide literacy coalition, stewards and librarians of all stripes. Read all about it in this fine piece. How about your university or college?
Beloit College students, staff and friends in the cityside near campus have discovered Little Libraries in a big way. The Beloit Rotary did, too, and soon the idea spread not only to local businesses, a sorority and public officials, but throughout the college's alumni network--to the Heart and Soul project in Vermont, a statewide literacy coalition, stewards and librarians of all stripes. Read all about it in this fine piece. How about your university or college?
The Little Free Library Project for property managers
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November, 2012 by Jennifer Newton in Property Manager.com Want to nurture the relationship between your rental property and the rest of the block and promote literacy at the same time?
The Little Free Library Project might be just the thing you’re looking for. Little Free Libraries (LFL) are popping up all over the country – and even as far away as Germany, Ghana and Afghanistan. For a list of the benefits of Little Free Libraries in apartment buildings and your condominium, read on. ..
The Little Free Library Project might be just the thing you’re looking for. Little Free Libraries (LFL) are popping up all over the country – and even as far away as Germany, Ghana and Afghanistan. For a list of the benefits of Little Free Libraries in apartment buildings and your condominium, read on. ..
What happens after all that media coverage? Take a look at A Year in the Life of Little Free Library
Just three words, she says. But she's a poet, and three is enough start some great stories about...guess what?
Juliet Patterson.
Listen to what poet Juliet Patterson has to say on Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hounds. "I've seen strangers meet. I've had a man driving down the street. He was from Texas and he...stopped and took a picture of the Library. I went out into the yard and we got into a long conversation about Phillip Roth. And I'm meeting neighbors from a ten or 12 block radius that I never would have known. So it's just been amazing in terms of building a community and bringing back the love of that object--the book-- at the same time that we move into this technological, digital age." Put your cursor on the arrow, drag it to 1:34 of the audio link below...or listen to the entire Art Hounds show. (It rhymes!)
Move over, big profit Amazon. Make room for Little Free Libraries
August 27th, by Michelle Hiskey, Saporta Report, Atlanta. As the country's largest independent book festival sets up in Decautur this weekend, don't let a faceless software like Amazon tell you what to read. Tap into a network that’s both older and newer, more personal and just plain more fun: the Little Free Libraries that are popping up all over Atlanta. ...It’s the charm of yard art, the wonder of a message in a bottle, sprinkled with the spell cast by a deft writer. Read more.
(left) "Frankly, Scarlett..This image by a Puitizer prize winner is on the side of one of the 12 Libraries auctioned off at the Decatur Book Festival. See them all here.
(left) "Frankly, Scarlett..This image by a Puitizer prize winner is on the side of one of the 12 Libraries auctioned off at the Decatur Book Festival. See them all here.
Charlotte Endorf is a writer, researcher and big booster of Little Libraries in small towns.
Eight Libraries so far!
July 14, By Carol Bicak, Omaha World-Herald Hadar, Nebraska,had no public library, a fact that distressed resident writer and prolific reader Charlotte Endorf.
“I'm an author,” she said. “How can I be an author in a town with no library?”
Luckily, she hit on a solution: the Little Free Library. Want to see a Little Library in the form of a railroad car? Read More. Then read about Charlotte's work on the absolutely inspirational North Platte Canteen during World War II and the Orphan Trains--rural town folk at their inspirational best. Fascinating stuff!
“I'm an author,” she said. “How can I be an author in a town with no library?”
Luckily, she hit on a solution: the Little Free Library. Want to see a Little Library in the form of a railroad car? Read More. Then read about Charlotte's work on the absolutely inspirational North Platte Canteen during World War II and the Orphan Trains--rural town folk at their inspirational best. Fascinating stuff!
She likes them in Houston...and here's why
July 10, Houston Chronicle, by Kyrie O'Conner Read O'Conner's story and see some great photos of Christa Neumann and Mark Gibson's Little Library here.
"Why should we care? Maybe because the Little Free Library is the coolest, simplest, easiest-to-understand good thing you'll hear about all week."
Here's the deal: You take a sturdy, waterproof small structure - which you buy, build or repurpose - fill it with books, set it up outside, add a sign ("take a book, leave a book" is popular) and watch what happens. More.
"Why should we care? Maybe because the Little Free Library is the coolest, simplest, easiest-to-understand good thing you'll hear about all week."
Here's the deal: You take a sturdy, waterproof small structure - which you buy, build or repurpose - fill it with books, set it up outside, add a sign ("take a book, leave a book" is popular) and watch what happens. More.
How the Little Free Library Is Reinventing the Library
June 21, 2012 Huffington Post, by Russell C. Smith "...In a time when the Commons is becoming less common, and when government spending for learning and literacy programs is being cut back, this seems like the country's will to learn and promote open minds through literacy is happening, regardless of a the lack of funding for government programs or a sputtering economy. But the people involved in the movement point out how this is an enhancement to the traditional public library, and not meant to replace public or institutional libraries." To read the entire article click here.
June 21, 2012 Huffington Post, by Russell C. Smith "...In a time when the Commons is becoming less common, and when government spending for learning and literacy programs is being cut back, this seems like the country's will to learn and promote open minds through literacy is happening, regardless of a the lack of funding for government programs or a sputtering economy. But the people involved in the movement point out how this is an enhancement to the traditional public library, and not meant to replace public or institutional libraries." To read the entire article click here.
New Old Railway Station is Little, Free, and Full of Books
June 21, 2012 Williston Northampton News ..."Once he had a green light, Simonds designed the library box to look like a miniature version of the nearby Old Railroad Station. Simonds spent two months creating the building, including cutting and staining 1,200 individual shingles, building tiny windows, and even installing wooden barrels along the exterior. For the full story of this beautiful Library look here.
"Little Library" in Mott Park brings Neighborhood Together
Sarah and Chris Reed, Flint
June 16, 2012 MLive, Michigan by Scott Atkinson | satkins1@mlive.com
"People just immediately started coming to it," Chris said. "Day and night, morning, afternoon, evening. Every day...
"There's a grandmother who lives in the neighborhood and she lives a little bit on the rougher side of the neighborhood, and her grandkids visit her a lot, and they've heard gunshots and were really scared to be at grandma's house," Sarah said. "She said that she took them to the library and they were just ecstatic and happy, and now they enjoy coming to grandma's and they feel safe...That's when it struck me on an emotionbal level. It was more than "'this cool." This is making a difference," she said. For the full story, click here.
"People just immediately started coming to it," Chris said. "Day and night, morning, afternoon, evening. Every day...
"There's a grandmother who lives in the neighborhood and she lives a little bit on the rougher side of the neighborhood, and her grandkids visit her a lot, and they've heard gunshots and were really scared to be at grandma's house," Sarah said. "She said that she took them to the library and they were just ecstatic and happy, and now they enjoy coming to grandma's and they feel safe...That's when it struck me on an emotionbal level. It was more than "'this cool." This is making a difference," she said. For the full story, click here.
Take a Book, Leave a Book at Little Free Library in Roseville
New neighborhood association’s first order of business: Build a library
June 17, 2012 Roseville (CA)_ Press Tribune, by Sena Christian-- Roseville resident Mike Hazen periodically pops his head into his local library to see the latest selection, and recently he saw a Harlequin romance novel."One of those with Fabio on the front," Hazen said, smiling.
The library in question has also had Shakespeare, an Encyclopedia Britannica, young adult novels and even some Teen Vogue magazines. This library is open to the public and books are free.But unlike traditional public libraries, visitors don't need a library card. Instead, they pick up books as they please with the expectation that they'll also drop off books to keep the shelf - there's only one - stocked.The Los Cerritos Neighborhood Association recently installed what's called a Little Free Library. It's registered as the 1,699th of these libraries throughout the world. Click here for more.
June 17, 2012 Roseville (CA)_ Press Tribune, by Sena Christian-- Roseville resident Mike Hazen periodically pops his head into his local library to see the latest selection, and recently he saw a Harlequin romance novel."One of those with Fabio on the front," Hazen said, smiling.
The library in question has also had Shakespeare, an Encyclopedia Britannica, young adult novels and even some Teen Vogue magazines. This library is open to the public and books are free.But unlike traditional public libraries, visitors don't need a library card. Instead, they pick up books as they please with the expectation that they'll also drop off books to keep the shelf - there's only one - stocked.The Los Cerritos Neighborhood Association recently installed what's called a Little Free Library. It's registered as the 1,699th of these libraries throughout the world. Click here for more.
Little Cape Libraries: Big Ideas in a Small Box
Click the pic for the link.
April 09, 2012 Cape Cod Times Online
By ROBERT GOLD — Jan Hively opened the swinging door and ran her finger along the row of books.The Mill Pond Village woman knew most of the titles. She had placed the majority of the books in the "Little Free Library," a well-crafted contraption made from Wisconsin cranberry crates. But her hand stopped at a new title, something donated by another condo resident. "Oooh, a poetry book," Hively said, flipping the book over with interest. Click here for more.
By ROBERT GOLD — Jan Hively opened the swinging door and ran her finger along the row of books.The Mill Pond Village woman knew most of the titles. She had placed the majority of the books in the "Little Free Library," a well-crafted contraption made from Wisconsin cranberry crates. But her hand stopped at a new title, something donated by another condo resident. "Oooh, a poetry book," Hively said, flipping the book over with interest. Click here for more.
Now THIS is Quite a Story...and Video...and Photo Gallery!
Click the pic
January 2012 Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Thinking Outside the Box With Little Libraries
Need to show people the who, what, when, where and why of Little Free Libraries. This front page story in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel does the job as well as any we have seen. Your community can us it to demonstrate the exciting possibilities. Click here for the story, video and 25 beautiful photographs.
Thinking Outside the Box With Little Libraries
Need to show people the who, what, when, where and why of Little Free Libraries. This front page story in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel does the job as well as any we have seen. Your community can us it to demonstrate the exciting possibilities. Click here for the story, video and 25 beautiful photographs.
Hear All About It on Public Radio
From New Orleans--The Reading Life with Susan Larson, on WWNO 89.9. Click here for an interview with Little Library Ambassador Linda Prout.
From Madison, WI on Wisconsin Public Radio-Here on Earth with Jean Feraca Click here to listen in to "Chasing Carnegie: The Little Free Library Project:" Jean interviews co-founders, Library stewards and more. Lots of detail about how Libraries affect neighborhoods and promote reading.
From New Orleans--The Reading Life with Susan Larson, on WWNO 89.9. Click here for an interview with Little Library Ambassador Linda Prout.
From Madison, WI on Wisconsin Public Radio-Here on Earth with Jean Feraca Click here to listen in to "Chasing Carnegie: The Little Free Library Project:" Jean interviews co-founders, Library stewards and more. Lots of detail about how Libraries affect neighborhoods and promote reading.
Very Small Libraries Can Have a Very Large Impact
December21 Fiction for a Change (blog) Evadne Machedo on Writing
Carolyn Swadron and Bill Wrigley’s experiences with their Little Free Library at 304 Lee Avenue, Toronto--
Nestled in Toronto’s Beach area sits a small library as big as a large birdhouse. This “Little Free Library” on our front lawn greets passersby with a sign that says, “Take a Book — Return a Book”. People seeing this smile, take photos and talk to each other. More daring folks open its door to examine the books inside. Some look around guiltily, not sure that the sign means what it says, but most choose books to take away. Others return borrowed books or contribute new books for more people to enjoy. How did this start? More.
December21 Fiction for a Change (blog) Evadne Machedo on Writing
Carolyn Swadron and Bill Wrigley’s experiences with their Little Free Library at 304 Lee Avenue, Toronto--
Nestled in Toronto’s Beach area sits a small library as big as a large birdhouse. This “Little Free Library” on our front lawn greets passersby with a sign that says, “Take a Book — Return a Book”. People seeing this smile, take photos and talk to each other. More daring folks open its door to examine the books inside. Some look around guiltily, not sure that the sign means what it says, but most choose books to take away. Others return borrowed books or contribute new books for more people to enjoy. How did this start? More.
Three Minneapolis Presses Unite for Little Free Library Promotion
By Claire Kirch, Publishers Weekly Dec 14, 2011
Three Twin Cities literary presses already renowned for collaborating in unconventional ways to promote books and authors are partnering with a Wisconsin literacy group and a Minneapolis museum to promote literacy, publicize the mission of each of the nonprofit organizations involved, and last, but not least, sell some books.
Coffee House Press, Milkweed Editions, and Graywolf Press are supplying the books, with each press initially contributing 50 books. Little Free Library, an organization that constructs and both donates and sells large wooden cabinets (“little free libraries”) that can hold up to two dozen books available for the taking by passersby – is supplying the containers. Ten little free libraries, hand crafted from salvaged cranberry crates, each containing 15 books selected by each press, will be sold initially by the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. More
By Claire Kirch, Publishers Weekly Dec 14, 2011
Three Twin Cities literary presses already renowned for collaborating in unconventional ways to promote books and authors are partnering with a Wisconsin literacy group and a Minneapolis museum to promote literacy, publicize the mission of each of the nonprofit organizations involved, and last, but not least, sell some books.
Coffee House Press, Milkweed Editions, and Graywolf Press are supplying the books, with each press initially contributing 50 books. Little Free Library, an organization that constructs and both donates and sells large wooden cabinets (“little free libraries”) that can hold up to two dozen books available for the taking by passersby – is supplying the containers. Ten little free libraries, hand crafted from salvaged cranberry crates, each containing 15 books selected by each press, will be sold initially by the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. More
Special Ed Teacher Brings Concept to Burnsville
Shannon Jorgenson
Dec. 15, by John Gessner Thisweek Newspapers Burnsville is about to get its first Little Free Library, with preschool children as its primary audience. Modest in size and cost, the wooden box will be mounted on a pole and have a plexiglass front door that anyone can open.
Go ahead, take a book. Leave a book of your own. If it works the way it’s supposed to, the Little Free Library will always be stocked with an ever-changing inventory, waiting for the next person to use it. Thanks to the efforts of early childhood special education teacher Shannon Jorgenson, the library will be installed at School District 191’s Early Education Program and Services center at Diamondhead Education Center. More
Go ahead, take a book. Leave a book of your own. If it works the way it’s supposed to, the Little Free Library will always be stocked with an ever-changing inventory, waiting for the next person to use it. Thanks to the efforts of early childhood special education teacher Shannon Jorgenson, the library will be installed at School District 191’s Early Education Program and Services center at Diamondhead Education Center. More
Book Lovers Alert! This Library is Open 24/7
Bill Wrigley
December 6, Toronto Star Bill Wrigley’s library may be small — tiny, really — but unlike Toronto’s beleaguered public libraries, his will be open to readers day and night...
He wants people to read, to lose themselves in literature or history; it’s more rewarding than scanning fleeting bits of text on a BlackBerry, he says. “But to sit down with a book and absorb what the author is trying to say, that’s the wonder,” he says. “The beauty of it is when it touches you and you can laugh or cry. You can’t feel with bytes, but you can with a book.” More
He wants people to read, to lose themselves in literature or history; it’s more rewarding than scanning fleeting bits of text on a BlackBerry, he says. “But to sit down with a book and absorb what the author is trying to say, that’s the wonder,” he says. “The beauty of it is when it touches you and you can laugh or cry. You can’t feel with bytes, but you can with a book.” More
Little Libraries Allow Neighbors to Share Books and a Bit of Themselves
October, 2011 "Little Free Libraries, the brainchild of Stillwater native Todd Bol, are popping up all over Minnesota, from tony Lowry Hill to St. Paul's rough-and-tumble East Side to placid Detroit Lakes." documents the beginning of this movement through the voices of Minnesota residents. This in-depth feature story with lots of photos in the Twin Cities Star-Tribune documents the beginning of this movement through the voices of Minnesota residents.
This Gives Me Hope, Says Karen Wellner
Plant a Little Library Some ideas are such fun I shake my head in amazement. The Little Free Library is one of them. (Thanks, Utne Reader, for pointing them out.) The scheme is simple and generous. Plant a small box, kind of like a bird house for books, atop a post. Fill it with about 20 books. Tell friends...
Read more » (you'll see that this is idea #136 of 1001 reasons to be optimistic.
Read more » (you'll see that this is idea #136 of 1001 reasons to be optimistic.
Sacramento--Beautiful Library; Excellent Carpenter!
September 2011 Jef Spencer offers a great example of how to build your own Little Library and inspire others. Read all about it in the Sacramento Press. "There is a new library in Sacramento – but you won’t need a library card or an ISBN to borrow books here.
Jef Spencer has opened up his own Little Free Library to the community, a small bookcase stationed at the edge of his front lawn located at the 5800 block of Revelstok Drive. There, people can take a book, donate a book, or exchange a book. Spencer, who is a woodworker and does volunteer work for the Boy Scouts and other programs geared toward children’s education, said it seemed like a great way to get kids to read...".(more)
Jef Spencer has opened up his own Little Free Library to the community, a small bookcase stationed at the edge of his front lawn located at the 5800 block of Revelstok Drive. There, people can take a book, donate a book, or exchange a book. Spencer, who is a woodworker and does volunteer work for the Boy Scouts and other programs geared toward children’s education, said it seemed like a great way to get kids to read...".(more)
"The Little Library That Could"...in the Toronto Star
September, 2011 Modern day Carnegies? Well, not really. But this story makes an interesting connection between cuts in support for public libraries and...guess what might help?
Statewide ‘Little Library’ Project Comes to Eau Claire in Big Way
Check this story in Volume One of Eau Claire, WI. It's all about how a Little Library can affect the ways neighbors work together. Fathers and sons figure in this story. Austin and Todd Bol were the builders of the beautiful log cabin Library in Boyd Park. And judging by this photo in Eau Claire's weekly newspaper (right), dads can play an important role in introducing their kids to the reading habit at a very young age.
LibraryJournal:
In Pursuit of Andrew Carnegie, One Little Free Library at a Time
August 4, 2011 Writer Michael Kelly got it right online in Library Journal. This article
(click here) tells the who, what, when, where, why and how of Little Free Library. It's about Little Library stewards, owners, founders, potential hosts and sponsors.
Quotables:"I thought, 'What are they doing on my bookshelves? Why don't we share them?'" he said. "Everybody asks, 'Aren't they going to steal the books?' But you can't steal a free book." "At a personal, human level, it's very thrilling how it excites people," Bol said. "But on a larger plane, it's such a nice spark for literacy, art, and community all at once."
(click here) tells the who, what, when, where, why and how of Little Free Library. It's about Little Library stewards, owners, founders, potential hosts and sponsors.
Quotables:"I thought, 'What are they doing on my bookshelves? Why don't we share them?'" he said. "Everybody asks, 'Aren't they going to steal the books?' But you can't steal a free book." "At a personal, human level, it's very thrilling how it excites people," Bol said. "But on a larger plane, it's such a nice spark for literacy, art, and community all at once."
Librarians Take Note: "So Cute They’re Almost Twee"
August 2, 2011 ”while the actual libraries are so cute they're almost twee, they have a very serious purpose behind them. The men want to help communities worldwide increase access to books, raise literacy--and surpass famed magnate Andrew Carnegie's record of building 2,509 free libraries.
"We haven't been so charmed by a project in years. We also want one of these for the Shelf Awareness neighborhood. Fortunately, that's entirely possible: on the site, Bol and Brooks not only sell plans so that you can build your own Little Free Library, but offer pre-made models and sponsorship opportunities, as well.”
--Shelf Awareness: Enlightenment for Readers, online newsletter for librarians and book buyers
"We haven't been so charmed by a project in years. We also want one of these for the Shelf Awareness neighborhood. Fortunately, that's entirely possible: on the site, Bol and Brooks not only sell plans so that you can build your own Little Free Library, but offer pre-made models and sponsorship opportunities, as well.”
--Shelf Awareness: Enlightenment for Readers, online newsletter for librarians and book buyers
Wisconsin State Journal
Little Library Supporters Find That if You Build It, They Will Come
Sunday, July 31, 2011--Madison, WI Here's a beautiful story and photos about how we got started, how Little Free Library is growing, and how people are getting involved. Reporter Gayle Worland and photographer John Hart captured both the essence and the details. We hope you'll share this story with friends and colleagues.Want to quote the best article we've seen so far on Little Free Libraries? Click here.
On Chicago Public Media's Changing Gears: Listen and Read
Awesome guys, left & right. N. Boodhoo photo
August 2, 2011, Chicago Niala Boodhoo of Chicago Public Media's Changing Gears (Ohio, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin) did a great story about the Awesome Foundation, Little Free Libraries and the nascent collaboration (that means exciting grassroots networking opportunities) in Chicago.
Feast your eyes and ears upon this:
Feast your eyes and ears upon this:
And Just in Case You Wish to be Green With Envy
Paying it Forward With Books
Walk or ride along a bike path sometime soon and you may see one. Stop and open the door. Take a book, then bring a favorite book of your own. Leave a note in it and know you are part of something big that starts right here with you.
Each Little Free Library, you see, is a house of stories just big enough to hold 20 or 30 good books--novels or nonfiction, poetry or "how-to" volumes. These little guys (more)
Walk or ride along a bike path sometime soon and you may see one. Stop and open the door. Take a book, then bring a favorite book of your own. Leave a note in it and know you are part of something big that starts right here with you.
Each Little Free Library, you see, is a house of stories just big enough to hold 20 or 30 good books--novels or nonfiction, poetry or "how-to" volumes. These little guys (more)
It's Original! The very first article about Little Libraries
Feb-April, 2011, Wisconsin In case you haven't seen it before, Madison Originals Magazine, originally published with its origins right here in south central Wisconsin, originated the vast media coverage of Little Libraries. This was even before we changed our name and address from the very long Neighborhood Library Builders Guild to Little Free Library. So...read it here.
