Books are an easy way for people to escape into a different world. From an early age I have tried to make reading and books, exciting and fun for both of my kids and it’s worked. They absolutely love to read, especially when they receive a new book. Earlier this year, Alpha-Bits asked my family and I to take part in a new and exciting initiative that you may have noticed popping up in your neighborhood. This new initiative is called The Little Free Library.
I have had a lot of people ask me “What is a Little Free Library” and I get so excited to tell them. The Little Free Library is a “take a book, return a book” gathering place where neighbors share their favorite books. In a nutshell, the Little Free Library is a box full of books where anyone may stop by and pick up a book (or two) and bring back another book to share. Not only are you promoting literacy and the love of books with the Little Free Library but it’s a great way to bring your community and neighborhood closer together.
There are lot’s of ways that you can set up your library. First you need to decide where you will put the library. Some good locations are in your front yard, work-place or you could even contact your city to find if there is a place in town that you could set one up. Then you need to decide whether you are going to build your library, purchase it or sponsor someone else. We received ours pre-built and ready to go, courtesy of Alpha-Bits, from the Little Free Library catalog. They have several different designs to choose from as well as a builders page with tips, tricks and inspirational ideas if you decide to build.
We set up our Little Free Library in my mom’s neighborhood because it’s right down the street from the elementary and middle school and there are kids always around. Almost immediately we had people stopping to ask what it was. Neighbors that we have never really talked to before have also started to come over to the library and it’s really brought the neighborhood together.
Installing the Little Free Library has been one of the highlights of my year. I love seeing not only my kids faces but the faces of all the other kids who run to the library to see what new books are inside.
This is a great idea for a summer project especially if you have kids! My kids helped us install the library and even paint it. They have also been responsible for checking the library and making sure it has plenty of books and they love it.
For more information on The Little Free Library and how you can get involved please visit http://littlefreelibrary.org to learn more.
Do you have a Little Free Library in your neighborhood?