Little Free Libraries Bring Neighbors Together
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by Charlotte Kovalchuk
n the middle of all the craziness in 2020, the Little Free Library organization celebrated a silver lining—its 100,000th library, located in Houston. It came at just the right time, as Little Free Libraries all over the world are combating isolation by bringing neighbors closer together with “mini town squares.” Little Free Library is a nonprofit that inspires a love of reading, builds community, and sparks creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world. A Little Free Library is a “take a book, return a book” free book exchange. They come in many shapes and sizes, but the most common version is a small wooden box of books. Anyone may take a book or bring a book to share. And they have unique, personal touches, as there is an understanding that real people, who live nearby, are sharing their favorite books with their community. Liberty Hill has three registered Little Free Libraries: 30 Double File Trace. Neal Younker built the library in 2015, making it the first official Little Free Library in Liberty Hill. His daughter, Stephanie Grubbs, said installing the library was one of the first things they did when they moved from Cedar Park, which she said is full of Little Free Libraries. Operation Liberty Hill, where she volunteers, helps keep the library stocked. 304 Spoleto Drive. This Little Free Library was built to “connect with neighbors in a new development area where everyone is new to the neighborhood. Feel free to stop by to borrow, lend, or add a quote suggestion to inspire others. This library is for readers of all ages.” 201 Santa Fe Trail. Catherine Boyd, a 15-year-old sophomore at Liberty Hill High School, built her Little Free Library for her Girl Scout Silver Award project. A bibliophile herself, she says she built it to inspire other readers and creative thinkers. “The more you read, the more your mind grows,” she says. Her grandfather, a woodworking master, helped her with the project, which Catherine says has become a legacy for them. The library has also been a good way to bring the community together. “It was a really fun way to connect with my neighborhood and with my Papa. It was a great way for me to really get to know the people around my
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Catherine Boyd built her Little Free Library at 201 Santa Fe Trail for her Girl Scout project.
neighborhood, because without it, I probably wouldn’t know much about anyone,” says Catherine.
BUILD YOUR OWN Now that you’ve been inspired by the movement, you might be asking how you can build one yourself. First, identify a legal and safe location with a lot of foot traffic, and at least one person to be the steward, or caretaker, who will promote the library and make sure it is clean and inviting. Next, build or purchase your library box at the non-profit website. Then register your new project to access a network of support and benefits, including an official charter number. Those purchased through Little Free Library’s online store are automatically registered and a charter sign is included. Now you’re ready to tell your friends, family, and community you’re open. Consider a grand opening ceremony to kick off the library in style! Take lots of photos, add your library to the Little Free Libraries’ world map online, and join the private stewards’ Facebook group to share tips and ideas with your fellow stewards. To learn more, get tips from their blog, and purchase a library, visit LittleFreeLibrary.org.
