Here’s a bumper sticker I haven’t seen before. And if you’re not familiar with Little Free Libraries, come visit my neighborhood, because there’s one every couple of blocks. What are they? You had to ask?
It started a few years back (2009), and has spread all over, although certain kinds of cities and neighborhoods are more fertile ground than others. It’s a bit precious, but certainly harmless enough. But I do wonder just how much use they get. I just remembered that Stephanie needed something to read one day, and we stopped at one on our walk, and she found something quite readable. Now I suppose we’re obligated to replace it with another book. Hmm. Given how our house is stuffed with books, maybe we should put one up on our front yard, but not so little. It would beat having to haul them off. Maybe that was the original impetus?
We have these in Edgewater (Chicago) – I think they’re awesome. While I have yet to use one, I pass one twice daily in the morning, and as far as turnover of these books, it seems to be pretty regular. There was even a rejected manuscript in there one day, hard-bound and everything. It made me a little sad that a (prospective?) author had gotten rid of his or her work.
Little libraries are terrific, you never know what people are going to swap. It’s like a mystery gift bag.
Good article about a neat aspect of our culture and I see there is at least one 300M puttering about, but for who knows how long. Some of the Little Libraries around here are rather intricately designed and there are unfortunately some that cannot keep the rain off the books though that seems to be rare.
LH cars are still fairly thick on the ground. I work with a guy who owns 2 of the things. Rust isn’t an issue here, so as long as they don’t shred the transaxles then theyre fairly solid cars. The 3.5 V6 in particular is a motor that regularly sees 300K or more IF you keep timing belts on it.
You know what’s more important to brake for? Traffic controls! It needs to be said where I live, for deliberate red-light running (I don’t mean misjudged yellows) is rampant here. I don’t like traffic cameras, but I understand the motivation: if the public won’t control itself, then politicians are tempted to step in.
There’s also an epidemic of hit-and-runs; fleeing responsibility is now the American Way.
You could be talking about anywhere, but it sounds like Albuquerque, NM without a doubt!
All my books end up at Goodwill.
I was surprised to find one on my summer vacation, on the island of Krk (ha, I bet it is quite difficult to pronounce “KRK” in English 🙂
Anyway, there was one interesting thriller by Jo Nesbo inside, so I must visit Krk again, if for nothing else, then to return the book.
Are those free libraries in your roads? Move them off the street and there will be no need to brake for them. Or is this just a clever way to proclaim “I Am Literate!”?
Not a bad idea, really. My problem is that I have a fairly tall stack of books that I have bought and paid for that are waiting to be read, so grabbing another doesn’t seem to be such a great idea. Perhaps retirement would solve all of these problems. 🙂
We have them here in Virginia as well — very neat idea. Many are on folks’ lawns, yet our high schools and middle schools have them too. I usually take a look: While typically there’s not much of interest for me, I did pick up a good biography of Loretta Lynn at one recently, and often pick up some good kids’ books as well.
I’m still waiting to find one stacked with old car brochures, though. I think I’ll be waiting for a while.
These little front yard free libraries date back well before the guy in Wisconsin trademarked the “little free library” name and started selling them for over $200 for a kit or over $300 for one that is ready to go. Now if you want to build your own for $30 in materials you can still register yours by spending $42 on a $5 plaque.
I would do that in my ‘hood, but all my books are treasured car books. Be damned if I give up my “Citroen DS, The Complete Story”.
Anything that encourages people to read is a good thing.
We have lots of literate criminals today. I wish certain people would never read, or at least works teaching them how to harm people. Stupid crooks are easier to catch than educated ones.
I was thinking of a better society through literacy, however as you point out certain others don’t share that view.
It may not be outside such as these, but where I work has a shelf on a coat rack in our break-room that is for this exact purpose, a free book and magazine exchange. It gets used a lot.
We have one of those too
There are two in my neighborhood, one of which we almost always pass on our evening walks (an activity that has unfortunately halted for the season, as it’s now quite dark when I get home from work). The contents don’t turn all that often, but it’s worth checking once every week or two–we’ve found a couple good things and contributed a few as well. Though I have so many books that I own and have not yet read, something really has to grab me in order for me to take another home!
We have them all over our neighborhood too (Sarasota, Fl). It’s an old neighborhood with biggish lots close to the center of town. Lots of well-to-do hippie types (probably like Eugene). Some friends had one in front of their house. Apparently it’s a volunteer thing where the homeowner agrees to maintain it and keep it stocked with books. The one in front of their house supposedly got plenty of usage. Personally, I love the idea, though I have yet to contribute or browse through one.
I don’t want to live in town, but these would make a neighborhood more appealing to me if I had to.
They seem to be relatively common in rural Britain (the libraries, not the 300m – doubt there’s a single one of those) often in re-purposed phone boxes or bus shelters.
Interesting idea. Personally, I’m not much of a reader outside of online. Now, this same idea with used CDs….
Never heard of this “on land”, but it is not unusual that you can swap books in the club house in smaller marinas or on small islands here during the summer.
I have a question:
Can I just drop off my dozens of books ? .
I read lot and fast so I always have 50 + books to get rid of, I know where one of these little Library things is and I’ll go drop off books just to be rid of them .
A Public Library I know sells me books cheaply and i can’t stand to toss the out but have no one to give them to…
I wasn’t sure how this deal works .
TIA ,
-Nate
I’m sure most owners wouldn’t mind you adding a few w/o taking any, assuming they aren’t something that could be considered indecent in your community.
Another option is to find a used book store or Half-Price books and depending on what they are they may buy them or at least take them.
Or you could put together your own curbside library.
Thank you .
I have mostly novels, pot boilers etc. .
A few history books too .
No way I want any one loitering near my property .
That’s piss me of and get me back in the soup .
-Nate
The other thing in our area there are a few book drop bins like the ones you find that you can put used clothing and shoes in, and there is always Goodwill or similar thrift stores.
In general I wouldn’t think that the people who would use a free book exchange would be of the criminal/thug type though I guess it could attract the homeless types. On the other hand I would think many homeless would head to the library and do their reading out of the weather.
Well ;
My ‘hood is full of nefarious types I have to shoo away on a regular basis .
-Nate
We have a little free library two short blocks from our house.
Picked up a couple of free books. I’ve been thinking about donating a few from my book shelf. Won’t be giving up any of my car books though!
“Give the gift of reading.”
You alls talked me into it ~
.
To – night I stopped by the Little Library on my block and was pleased to find two books I wanted to borrow, took them home and returned with four more , tidied up the mess of books and drove away .
.
Hopefully there will be a steady stream of books there for me and space for me to drop off the many books I want rid of .
.
-Nate