Houzz Call: Show Us Your Little Free Library
Mini book-swapping stations are taking the country by storm. We want to know all about yours
A few weeks ago I passed the cutest Little Free Library, which matched its owners’ bungalow, and it put a big smile on my face. It seemed like just yesterday I’d been hearing about Little Free Libraries for the first time. Just when I felt as though e-books were taking over, these great little lending boxes have been popping up everywhere. It’s heartening how fast this positive trend has spread across the country.
Learn more about the start of the Little Free Library trend
Learn more about the start of the Little Free Library trend
By the way, your Little Free Library doesn’t have to be your property to be “yours.” “Mine” belongs to my across-the-street neighbors, Chris and Tom. It’s where I do my donating and browsing. It’s so nice to look out the window and see people stop in their tracks, back up and check out the selection, taking a book or two.
Little Free Library librarians: What kinds of books are trending in your library right now? Do you take or leave magazines, movies or music? Do you try to curate the donations? How often do you neaten up the shelves? Space is limited — do you purge the titles that languish too long? I’ve noticed a mix of children’s books, book-club-kind-of selections, a lot of Liane Moriarty novels and multiple copies of What to Expect When You’re Expecting at my corner Little Free Library.
Little Free Library users: What kinds of donations do you make to your local LFL? What was your best find so far? Your weirdest?
Before I donate, I pause and ask, “Is this a good one for the LFL?” because space is limited. For example, Netscape for Dummies is probably a pick for a very narrow niche. And whenever I walk by, I can’t help but pay attention to whether my donations have been picked up, and I wonder things like, “Unlike me, will a neighbor get past page 150 of the last Jonathan Franzen novel?” or “Why hasn’t anyone snapped up Everybody’s Fool yet — don’t they know how funny Richard Russo is?”
Before I donate, I pause and ask, “Is this a good one for the LFL?” because space is limited. For example, Netscape for Dummies is probably a pick for a very narrow niche. And whenever I walk by, I can’t help but pay attention to whether my donations have been picked up, and I wonder things like, “Unlike me, will a neighbor get past page 150 of the last Jonathan Franzen novel?” or “Why hasn’t anyone snapped up Everybody’s Fool yet — don’t they know how funny Richard Russo is?”
Let’s chat about Little Free Libraries in the Comments. And please post those photos of your own LFL or of the best one you’ve seen too.
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‘Not My Precious Books!’ — Pain-Free Ways to Declutter Your Library
So, Houzzers, please show us your Little Free Library and tell us about it. Was your style inspired by something, or is it strictly form over function? Please post a photo in the Comments.