Little Free Library - Give one, take one

Some are short, and some are tall. Some are painted in bright colours, while others are plain. They’re called Little Free Libraries® [LFL], and they are adorable.

I had noticed this new form of lawn decoration springing up in my area for the last few years—mini houses propped up on poles filled with books for people to borrow. Visitors can choose a book and either return it when they finish or replace it with a different piece of literature. It’s always open, and you don’t need a library card. Neighbours encouraging people to read and share—brilliant. Personally, I love real “brick and mortar” libraries [see “Palaces for the people” in Issue 006] and don’t believe the LFLs are a replacement, but I do see them as a fantastic alternative.

If you’re looking to spruce up your front lawn, you can order an LFL from their website, and you too can start spreading literacy in your community.

THINK BEFORE YOU DROP

It’s probably not a good idea to drop off that Windows 95 manual that has been collecting dust in your basement. If you think it’s useless, it probably is. No dictionaries, textbooks, atlases, travel guides, etc. Goodwill may be a better option for these items.

DON’T OVERDO IT

Although you may think you’re being generous, overfilling is a no-no. Drop off a few at a time and leave space for others to donate.

KEEP IT PRETTY

Nobody wants to pick up a dirty, stained, creased, water damaged or mouldy book. You may think the crayon drawings your child made throughout his copy of Charlotte’s Web are cute, but unless his name was Jean-Michel Basquiat, they are probably just gross.

LITTLEFREELIBRARY.ORG