fbpx

Advertisement

15 ‘Little Free Libraries’ that Might Inspire You to Start Your Own

©Instagram,dogmommydominique ©Instgaram,wanderingpageturner

I have a couple of Little Free Libraries by me where I live in Charlotte, North Carolina, and I’m always surprised by how often the books are changing and how many people take advantage of them.

The idea behind these libraries is really cool: people build them in neighborhoods and people take and leave books. It’s a nice thing for any community and, as you know, you can never go wrong with books!

Here are 10 examples that are really great and that might even inspire you to start your own Little Free Library.

1. A gorgeous one.

View this post on Instagram

?THE LITTLE FREE LIBRARY?Do you have one of these in your neighborhood? These adorable book receptacles are popping up more and more these days. • After 10 years since the @littlefreelibrary in Hudson, Wisconsin was built, there are now over 90,000 registered worldwide!?? What an awesome way to share knowledge and build community on a small scale!? • ?Have you ever considered the difference in ecological impact of brand new paper books and e-readers? They both definitely come at a cost, but running the numbers is tricky. Although the carbon footprint of an individual paper book is low, those numbers tend to add up when multiplied by the number of books being printed and the waste within the industry in general. • ? An individual e-reader has a much higher carbon footprint than a paper book, but many books can be read before its end of life. But we are not only talking about carbon emissions, are we? Various precious metals, like those found in your cell phone, are used in making e-readers and other devices. What happens to an e-reader at the end of its life? Some get recycled, but many do not. Electronic waste continues to be a serious environmental problem. What happens when a book reaches the end of its life? • ?Personally, we prefer reading paper books. Studies have shown that reading a physical book allows you to retain the information better. While the paper book/e-reader debate trudges on, continue sharing your books and supporting both your Little Free Libraries and your big libraries! • ♻?And consider also finding used books from @paperbackswapdotcom @bookmooch @betterworldbooks @thriftbooks @halfpricebooks and @facebookmarketplace or participating in @bookcrossing_official • ??What are some things you do to get the most mileage out of your books? • #LFLmoment #ShareBooks #LittleFreeLibrary #lfl #bookstagram #sharebooks #zerowaste

A post shared by Permacrafters – Zero Waste ? (@permacrafters) on

2. A mini replica.

View this post on Instagram

My dad has gotten a creative bug in his retirement. First he started making barn quilts for anyone who wanted one (and even a few who didn’t want one) and now he’s making Little Free Libraries! After he made my sister a library that matched her house, I quickly put in my order that was delivered today! • Some of my favorite features are the functioning solar panel that activates lights when the door is opened and 4 pretty kitties looking out each of the windows! • Even though it’s clear he could definitely sell these things, my dad said that making money off them would take all the fun out of building them. That’s what retirement is all about! • • • #debtfreecommunity #budget #daveramsey #littlefreelibrary #library #retirement #retirementgoals #debtfree #firecommunity

A post shared by Alison- BabyStepping2Freedom (@babystepping2freedom) on

3. That’s a really nice example.

View this post on Instagram

I first walked by this little free library at night so I wasn't able to snap a good picture. But look at perfect it is! I love finding new LFLs in my neighborhood that aren't listed on the map. (This one is at 16th & Q, NW for those of you in DC.)⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #giveabooktakeabook #lfl #littlefreelibrary #dupontcircle #washingtondc #bookishladiesclub #bookfinds #bookishlife #reading?

A post shared by Angie, Bookstagram (@dclazygirl) on

4. The rustic look.

View this post on Instagram

Went to a @littlefreelibrary today! I love stopping whenever I see these. They are a book sharing locations where you Take a Book/Share a book ? #littlefreelibrary #bookstagram #book #books #bookexchange #bookish #bookworm #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bookphotography #booklover #bookblogger #bookaddict

A post shared by Ashley (@bookmark_reads) on

5. Wow! Great work!

View this post on Instagram

If you're going to put up a little free library, you might as well go all out and make it a "mini-me" version of your Italianate. How much do you LOVE this? #historichomesofminnesota #oldhouselove #archi_ologie #whynotwednesday #littlefreelibrary #minime #tinyhouse #tinyreplica #miniaturehouse #howcoolisthis #minnesotahomes #minnesota #exploreminnesota #uniquefind #italianate

A post shared by Jennifer Kirby (@historicminnesota) on

6. A baby brownstone.

7. A British-style telephone booth.

View this post on Instagram

This may be my favorite #littlefreelibrary that I’ve come across because of how cute it is! ? This is a fabulous #lfl for youth because it was filled with #childrensbooks and #youngadultbooks ? Go check it out! ? #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookish #literacymatters #readtochildren #sharingiscaring #thinkgloballyactlocally #booksareforeveryone #takeoneleaveone #puttingitforward

A post shared by Dominique Rodriguez (@dogmommydominique) on

8. Inspired by Dr. Seuss.

View this post on Instagram

Sunday Sighting; a Dr. Seuss Little Free Library!✨ On Sunday we spotted this gem in East Austin and, at the time, it had no books in it. I usually keep a bag of books in the car for @littlefreelibrary sightings, but not that day. So this morning we went back wandering with our books to help stock it, only to find the Suess themed library was full! It’s got one more book tucked in the corner now.

A post shared by Nae (@wanderingpageturner) on

9. Built inside a tree trunk.

View this post on Instagram

Something fun to add to your @idahobucketlist ✔️✔️✔️ • When Sharalee Armitage Howard, a Coeur d'Alene librarian, realized that the 100+ year old tree in her yard needed to be taken down, she decided to turn it into something unique! ??The book-loving home owner turned this rotted out tree trunk into a destination Little Free Library! • Add it to your @idahobucketlist to take or leave a book in the Little Tree…I mean FREE Library! Find it at 716 North A St, CDA. • #idahobucketlist #littlefreelibrary #coeurdalene #northidaho #northernidaho #northidaholife #visitnorthidaho #visitidaho #bucketlisters #bucketlistfamily #bucketlist #books #library #traveler #travelblog #travelblogger #wanderer #freelibrary #idaho #idahome #idahoartist #idahomade

A post shared by Idaho Bucket List (@idahobucketlist) on

10. A spitting image.

These are so cool!

Do you have any Little Free Libraries by you?

If so, share some pics with us in the comments and tell us about them.