Little Free Library: Love of Books, Sense of Community

Josh and Rebecca recently put this Little Free Library in front of their house.

Friends joined the Little Free Library movement recently and they love the interaction they’re getting with neighbors and fellow book-lovers. Just this morning, they pointed me in the direction of a handful more within a few miles of their Decatur home (including one in front of Decatur City Hall). And another friend told me about one closer to home, near Piedmont Park.

The little libraries aren’t just adorable. They’re also a great way to encourage reading (of actual books!) and build community. After all, what could be friendlier than sharing books among neighbors? It’s like social media before the Internet, and way more homey.

What is a Little Free Library?

It’s a ‘take a book, return a book’ gathering place where neighbors share their favorite literature and stories. In its most basic form,  a 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. You can, too!

That’s from littlefreelibrary.org, the excellent website of the excellent organization that started in Wisconsin a few years ago and has led to the creation of some 15,000 LFLs around the world — including a few dozen in metro Atlanta. Check out the site for more information, how to start your own LFL, a photo gallery and a searchable map of LFL locations.

Happy reading!

This one is in the same neighborhood near Decatur where my friends just opened their own LFL.

Here’s one in front of Decatur City Hall, next to the famous Eddie’s Attic music venue.

Bring some reading material by and show this guy some love. Decatur City Hall.

Just off Monroe, near Piedmont Park

The plaque on the side reads: Dedicated to Millie Brown, An Educator, The love of learning, the sequestered nooks, and all the sweet serenity of books. — Longfellow