Margret Aldrich

Highly recommended for: all humans. Especially recommended for people who’d like to have a little free library, visit little free libraries, donate to little free libraries, help build little free libraries, anyone who has the slightest interest in LFLs. I dare any book lover to read this book and not want a LFL of their own or at least to become involved in some way with LFLs.

This book isn’t exactly what I’d expected. Yes, there are stories about LFL and photos, but part of the focus is on actually creating/having one, and sometimes giving one. It’s a reference book. It is also a book filled with great short stories and photos of LFL that show incredible creativity. I loved the quotes, seeing all the LFLs, and especially hearing people’s stories. I appreciated how even when people bought their LFLs from the official organization, they often personalize them.

Since I first learned of them I’ve always wanted a LFL but am not in a position right now to have one. I might be able to have one someday and this book got me thinking about how I’d like it to be. I’m still thinking. I already know I’d prefer it to be able to hold as many books as would be feasible in its location and to have different sections for children’s vs. adult books and books that will appeal to readers with all sorts of interests.

This a great coffee table book but also a book with substance. I looked through it first and read and viewed certain parts before I read it cover to cover. (I did just skim some of the detailed building instructions, though I loved some of the suggestions for building materials, etc.) There are many emotionally touching stories, and a lot of interesting stories and information, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the LFL and their stewards from many parts of the world. It seems if a LFL is in a good location it’s at least just as good as having/walking a dog for meeting and getting to know people.

Just a very few of many interesting tidbits:

One LFL structure shown is a cabinet from IKEA. (It’s the kind of thing anyone could “build” and cheaper than buying an official one. It’s fairly large too so can hold many books.)

According to one real estate agent, if a LFL is on the block a house up for sale on that block will sell faster.

Who knew that in a book about LFL I’d learn about couchsurfing.org?!

I hadn’t known that to be a true LFL it has to be registered (some in my neighborhood aren’t) and that if you register you get all sorts of cool freebies.

I learned that LFL sometimes contain things other than books! Seeds, etc. etc. etc. I particularly liked the idea of putting some dog biscuits in and a water bowl on the ground for dogs, and definitely having something to sit on beside the library, a little free treasure chest that contains such things as little toys& stickers, etc. for kids, having a neighborhood free/trade box nearby. Also, for those who can, putting herbs, vegetables, flowers nearby and encouraging library patrons to take some of those home. (I thought I’d be a books only purist but ended up loving the alternate contents ideas, at least in addition to books.)

I loved the two pages “Drawing Attention” for “urban sketchers” about drawing/painting LFLs and the 5 examples included, and loved the 2 pages of “Artistic Exercises” too. This book really does have something for almost everyone.

My favorite parts were reading the personal stories and seeing photos of the LFLs. Some of the most heartwarming stories are in the chapter about problems that can arise. Most of the stories are wonderful: inspiring, moving, uplifting, poignant. I love the meaning these LFL have for so many and how this is a worldwide movement.

Seeing the books in the LFLs made it hard not to look up books to add more to my every growing bloated to read shelf, but had I attempted that in earnest it would have taken me months to read the but I couldn’t resist checking out a few unknown to me books.

There is too much in this book to have the “Contents” be that useful but just to give some idea:

Contents:

Foreword
Introduction

Chapter 1: Why Little Free Libraries?
Chapter 2: Get Started – Lunching a Little Free Library
Chapter 3: Build Community – Using Little Free Libraries to Come Together
Chapter 4: Grow Literacy – Using Little Free Libraries to Celebrate Reading
Chapter 5: Be Creative – Using Little Free Libraries to Kickstart Creativity
Chapter 6: Make It Work – Finding Solutions for Challenging Situations
Chapter 7: Do Good – Using Little Free Libraries to Pay It Forward

Epilogue: Oh the Places You’ll Go! – A Letter from the Cofounder

Appendix: Connect with Little Free Library; Construction Plans; Tips for Builders; Installation Instructions; Door Counter Instructions; Yarn Bombing Instructions; Call for Stories

Acknowledgments
Photo Credits… (más)