I was listening to the radio last week, it was either WGN or NPR, I can’t remember. It doesn’t matter.
What does matter is that they were talking to Todd Bol, creator of little free libraries.
Simply the greatest idea ever. And so darn cute.
The first little free library, a schoolhouse.
The idea is this: a network of give-a-book, take-a-book libraries. Have a book you don’t need anymore? Stick it in. See one you like while you’re there, dropping it off? Grab it. The honor system at work!
A habitat for the humanities.
Bol, creator of the nonprofit littlefreelibrary.org hopes to inspire a movement that encourages a love of reading and a sense of community. They offer models for sale with much of the time and materials for making the libraries donated by businesses and tradespeople. They also accept donations on their site which go into their GIFT fund- Give It Forward Team- money reserved specifically for groups/communities that want to start a little free library, but might be excluded by funds. Bol and his team say they don’t want anyone to be discouraged by the cost.
Little Free Library also offers plans to build your own if you are so inclined. I imagine that you might be able to save on the cost if you are good with tools; the cheapest model available through the website is $250 which is a basic model, like this one:
A basic model, decorated.
There are also kits, which come unassembled for about $250. So if you can build stuff or know a builder (hey, I’m married to a carpenter!) then you could easily do it yourself, adding to the charm and character.
I think this is a great idea. I’d love to have J build one, but I wouldn’t know where to put it. I wonder where I could place one, anyway? hmm… I’ll have to start thinking of ideas of where I could donate one. I’d really love it if I could place one in my neighborhood. The kids would love it. 🙂
And of course, I’m already thinking of a million ways I could decorate it, and what books I have to start it with!
life annotations 