The Joys of Little Free Libraries

I first discovered Little Free Libraries while traveling through Bellevue, WA. I was driving through a beautiful neighbourhood when I noticed what looked like an oversized birdhouse or a miniature garden shed standing at the front of a home. It was mounted on a post and featured a small glass door, but it was not a birdfeeder. Inside were books.

A plaque identified it as a Little Free Library, and I was intrigued. I opened the tiny door and discovered a variety of books waiting for someone to give them new life on someone else’s bookshelf. There was no cost, library card, checkout process, or return date – just books for free!

What Is a Little Free Library and How Do You Find Them?

A Little Free Library (LFL) is a small, publicly accessible book exchange. People can claim a book, donate a book, or simply browse the collection. These little structures appear in yards, along sidewalks, near parks and walking trails, community gardens, and in other neighbourhood spaces.

Some are simple wooden boxes while others are brightly painted or designed to resemble cottages, shops, or local landmarks. Each one has its own character, often reflecting the creativity of the person or community that built and maintains it.

The idea is straightforward: take a book, share a book, leave a book. Most importantly, you do not have to leave a book in order to take one, and books do not need to be returned. The official Little Free Library organization (a non-profit) describes the movement’s mission as building community, inspiring readers, and expanding access to books.

The Pleasure of Discovery

There is something wonderfully old-fashioned about opening the door of a Little Free Library and browsing the books inside. You never know what you are going to find – from brand new novels, popular best sellers, classics, non-fiction, memoirs, even cookbooks. You will find books by little known authors or popular writers. More often, you’ll discover something unexpected. The element of surprise is part of the appeal.

Because each LFL is unique, you feel like you are browsing through a used bookstore hoping to find treasures. The selection changes constantly, depending on who has visited and what they have left behind.

Why Readers May Connect

For many people over 60, books have been lifelong companions. Although I love a good audiobook, there is never a bad reason to have a hardcover or paperback book to tuck into in the evening with a glass of wine and some jazz playing in the background.

The beauty of this shared lending system is that sometimes it takes you longer to get through a book than the time allotted with a loan from the library. Sometimes you find a book that you absolutely love and know someone that would love to have a copy. I have picked up books for family and friends – most recently, some beach reads for my busy adult daughter before our family vacation.

They also offer a practical way to continue reading without constantly buying new books (which is not always feasible if you are on a budget). A free neighbourhood book exchange allows you to sample unfamiliar authors and genres without adding another purchase to your beside to-be-read pile. If the book you picked up was not your cup of tea, you have lost nothing, you simply replace or donate it to another LFL.

It becomes a natural meeting place. Some even have dog treats and bowls of water for those walking their dogs! I have often been greeted by a neighbour while browsing, they may provide exchange recommendations or point out other LFL in the neighbourhood!

Occasionally, you may find a note or bookmark included. There can be words of encouragement, well wishes giving readers evidence of the book’s journey through the community. I have also found CDs, children’s books and stickers (that I now add to my Junk Journal).

What I Leave Behind

I now carry a book or two with me when I travel so I can look for regional libraries and share great Canadian authors or books written by new authors. One of my book club members is a published author and I have dropped her book in different locations throughout the city and abroad. Also, I have dropped off books from an author that I met in Clarksville, Tennessee.

I have stopped at Little Free Libraries in Blacksburg, Virginia, Saratoga Springs, New York, Toronto, Ontario and Maritime Quebec. I have picked up books in Spanish and French and left English language books that may be appealing for ex-pats or visitors in a different country.

I have found regional history, architecture, or books on local attractions. Novels set in the area, or travel and hiking guide of the local area. You can also find a bonanza of ‘beach’ reads when you find LFL near a resort town or recreation area. We vacation in Grand Bend, Ontario and there are about 4-5 LFL in the neighbourhood where we rent a cottage. Many are light, quick reads but there are also children’s books, and the occasional puzzles!

I also keep a small bag of books ready to be donated throughout the city or when I make day trips to Toronto or other cities in Southwestern Ontario. When I declutter or clear off my night table of books I’ve already read (or thought I was going to read but decided not to), I just put them in that bag in the trunk of my car to drop off at an LFL.

It is always nice to leave a book when I have taken one or if I see that this particular shelf needs to be replenished! They are very popular spots and sometimes the stock runs low!

Little Free Libraries Are a Simple Way to Share

LFL offers an easy way to keep books in circulation (and out of landfills). They also can provide books that are no longer found in libraries because they have been banned (To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Attwood, or The Blues Eye by Toni Morrison – are three of my all time favorite books).

These sharing portals do not replace public libraries, which offer extensive collections, digital resources, personal book recommendations, literacy programs, and community events. They serve a different purpose: they are informal, spontaneous, and shaped by the people who use them.

You can participate simply by visiting one during a walk, drive or visit. What began for me as an unexpected discovery on a trip abroad has become part of how I source books, share and travel.

With the Little Free Library App, you can see where different libraries are located and map a route out. I have done this and checked out different areas in my city. You will find that different neighbourhoods have different selections but it’s all FREE. Even if I don’t use the app, I now look for those tiny roofs, glass doors, colourful doors and recognize the plaque identifying it as a Little Free Library. I stop the car, jump out and see what awaits me.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Where do you get your books from? Do you have a little free library nearby? Have you used one? Have you left books at a LFL for someone else to use?