{"id":20944,"date":"2023-05-02T09:55:26","date_gmt":"2023-05-02T13:55:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cubesmart.com\/blog\/?p=20944"},"modified":"2024-06-28T10:32:18","modified_gmt":"2024-06-28T14:32:18","slug":"build-a-lending-library-for-your-neighborhood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cubesmart.com\/blog\/your-life\/build-a-lending-library-for-your-neighborhood\/","title":{"rendered":"Build a Lending Library for Your Neighborhood"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Free image via Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starting a lending library in your neighborhood is a wonderful way to encourage literacy and build community without too much effort or time. And you definitely wouldn\u2019t be alone. While it seems like neighborhood libraries of this type have been around for decades, the first was started by a man named Todd H. Bol in 2009. He went on to start the Little Free Library<\/a> nonprofit in St. Paul, Minnesota which, in turn, sparked a global free neighborhood book exchange trend. Today, there are tens of thousands of lending libraries around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The need for\nunlimited access to books for children and adults is profound. Two out of three\nfourth graders (67%) in the United States alone are unable to read at grade\nlevel, contributing to 8,000 American students dropping out of high school a day<\/em> according to Reading is Fundamental<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to providing free books to anyone who wants them 24 hours a day, seven days a week, a lending library is also a fantastic way to get to know your neighbors \u2013 and what they like to read. Not to mention the immediate access you\u2019ll have to a hugely unique and varied array of fiction and nonfiction books. In fact, a book exchange in your front yard is the perfect way to gain exposure to titles, authors, or even genres you might not have sought out on your own. Not to mention, a free and easy way to stock up on new-to-you publications for your book nook or library<\/a>. It\u2019s a book lover\u2019s dream.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, you\ndon\u2019t have to limit your lending library to just books. \u201cLibraries of things\u201d are growing in\npopularity as they offer access to items that people may otherwise go without.\nThe Denver Public Library, for instance, offers a Library of Things<\/a> that includes Chromebooks, bicycle repair kits, state\nparks passes, museum passes, and even sewing machines and air quality monitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re\ninterested in opening a library of things in your own community, the\norganization Community\nWorkshop<\/a> suggests lending or\nsharing tools, seeds, snowshoes, games, puzzles, art supplies and more. Little free\nsled libraries<\/a> are also a huge hit\nin the cold weather states. Anything that you think more people need access to\n\u2013 and that your neighborhood will benefit from \u2013 will fit the bill. Of course,\ntool libraries often have to have a fee attached in order to keep the tools in\ngood shape (and make up for any that disappear), so are quite a bit more\ninvolved than free exchanges of goods.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guide to Install a Community Library Box<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Free Image via Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There are a few steps to go through to make your lending library box project a success. First, survey your neighborhood. Search \u201clending library near me\u201d on your phone or download the Little Free Library app<\/a> to find your nearest community book box. If you decide you want to follow the very user-friendly Little Free Library playbook, you can also find a nearby \u201clibrary steward\u201d to help you through the process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next, take a visit to any neighborhood lending library within an accessible distance to gain inspiration. Check out where they\u2019re located, what they\u2019re lending, how they\u2019re built, and how they\u2019re maintained. You\u2019ll definitely gain inspiration from this research and, if you\u2019re lucky, you might get some good advice on, say, how to start a neighborhood children\u2019s lending library (or whatever type of lending library you choose to install). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve got a good idea of what your neighborhood lending library landscape has (and what it might be lacking), it\u2019s time to decide what you want to share or lend in your community library box, as well as where you want to locate it. The Little Free Library<\/a> organization suggests that, \u201cThe location should also have a lot of foot traffic and be highly visible to anyone nearby.\u201d You also have to be legally permitted to install something of the sort and make sure people have easy and safe access to the location you\u2019ve chosen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the fun part: buying or building the neighborhood library itself. Books are probably the easiest and most common item to stock a lending library with, so there are plenty of plans, blueprints and inspiring examples of these types of libraries available online. You can also purchase pre-built libraries for a couple of hundred dollars or hire a local carpenter or handyman to construct one for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Need additional storage for books? Find Storage Near You<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to the design of your object or book library box, the sky is truly the limit. Many folks like to add to the community-friendly experience by using eco-friendly materials such as recycled metal, wood, or even old skis to limit the environmental impact of the project. Some use lots of bright colors or decorative carpentry to draw attention. To encourage lingering, it might be a good idea to add a small bench or even a bowl of water for thirsty dogs. Check out Pinterest<\/a> for a ton of neighborhood library ideas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you\u2019re\ndesigning your lending library, don\u2019t forget about\nsignage. You want people to immediately know what it is \u2013 and how to use it.\nYou can also buy \u201ccharter signs<\/a>\u201d for $40 that serve to officially register your community\nlibrary box as a Little Free Library. The\nregistration comes with stewardship guidance, as well as a spot on the Little\nFree Library world map.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spreading the News About\nYour Lending Library<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Free Image via Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019ve\ninstalled a new neighborhood book box or are\nlending or sharing something of a different sort, it\u2019s critical that you get\nthe word out to start building engagement \u2013 and hopefully spurring some item or\nbook\nexchanges! \nAfter all, the project won\u2019t work without a little (literal) give and\ntake from the community to support it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some good\nplaces to start publicizing your project include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Social Media Reels or Stories<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Neighborhood Nextdoor and\/or Facebook page<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Registered neighborhood association or HOA<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Community bulletin board<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Schools and preschools\/daycares<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Senior centers <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Recreation centers <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    You might even try getting in touch with your local community websites, especially if you\u2019ve put up a unique type of lending library. Viewers love a feel-good story, and any sort of press coverage is just about guaranteed to help you reach a much larger audience than any other effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Enjoy the interaction and contribution of your little library! And enjoy the additional storage on your shelves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Starting a lending library in your neighborhood is a wonderful way to encourage literacy and build community without too much effort or time. And you definitely wouldn\u2019t be alone. While it seems like neighborhood libraries of this type have been around for decades, the first was started by a man named Todd H. Bol in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":20946,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[642,641],"tags":[1854,1855,1856],"class_list":["post-20944","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hobbies","category-your-life","tag-book-exchange","tag-lending-library","tag-neighborhood-library"],"yoast_head":"\r\nBuild a Lending Library for Your Neighborhood | The Storage Space<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Build a neighborhood lending library and share the love of reading. 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