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’t 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 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.
The need for unlimited access to books for children and adults is profound. Two out of three fourth graders (67%) in the United States alone are unable to read at grade level, contributing to 8,000 American students dropping out of high school a day according to Reading is Fundamental.
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 – and what they like to read. Not to mention the immediate access you’ll 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. It’s a book lover’s dream.
Of course, you don’t have to limit your lending library to just books. “Libraries of things” are growing in popularity as they offer access to items that people may otherwise go without. The Denver Public Library, for instance, offers a Library of Things that includes Chromebooks, bicycle repair kits, state parks passes, museum passes, and even sewing machines and air quality monitors.
If you’re interested in opening a library of things in your own community, the organization Community Workshop suggests lending or sharing tools, seeds, snowshoes, games, puzzles, art supplies and more. Little free sled libraries are also a huge hit in the cold weather states. Anything that you think more people need access to – and that your neighborhood will benefit from – will fit the bill. Of course, tool libraries often have to have a fee attached in order to keep the tools in good shape (and make up for any that disappear), so are quite a bit more involved than free exchanges of goods.
Guide to Install a Community Library Box
There are a few steps to go through to make your lending library box project a success. First, survey your neighborhood. Search “lending library near me” on your phone or download the Little Free Library app 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 “library steward” to help you through the process.
Next, take a visit to any neighborhood lending library within an accessible distance to gain inspiration. Check out where they’re located, what they’re lending, how they’re built, and how they’re maintained. You’ll definitely gain inspiration from this research and, if you’re lucky, you might get some good advice on, say, how to start a neighborhood children’s lending library (or whatever type of lending library you choose to install).
Once you’ve got a good idea of what your neighborhood lending library landscape has (and what it might be lacking), it’s 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 organization suggests that, “The location should also have a lot of foot traffic and be highly visible to anyone nearby.” 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’ve chosen.
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.
Need additional storage for books? Find Storage Near You
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 for a ton of neighborhood library ideas.
As you’re designing your lending library, don’t forget about signage. You want people to immediately know what it is – and how to use it. You can also buy “charter signs” for $40 that serve to officially register your community library box as a Little Free Library. The registration comes with stewardship guidance, as well as a spot on the Little Free Library world map.
Spreading the News About Your Lending Library
Whether you’ve installed a new neighborhood book box or are lending or sharing something of a different sort, it’s critical that you get the word out to start building engagement – and hopefully spurring some item or book exchanges! After all, the project won’t work without a little (literal) give and take from the community to support it.
Some good places to start publicizing your project include:
- Social Media Reels or Stories
- Neighborhood Nextdoor and/or Facebook page
- Registered neighborhood association or HOA
- Community bulletin board
- Schools and preschools/daycares
- Senior centers
- Recreation centers
You might even try getting in touch with your local community websites, especially if you’ve 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.
Enjoy the interaction and contribution of your little library! And enjoy the additional storage on your shelves.
