If you love books, sharing them is a great way to connect with other people. And that’s just what the 75,000 people who built Little Free Libraries have done since the first one was completed in 2009!
As a tribute to his late mother, who was a school teacher and book lover, Todd Bol designed a wooden container to look like a one-room schoolhouse. Then, he mounted it on a post on his lawn in Hudson, Wisconsin and filled it with books, creating the first Little Free Library.
What Is a Little Free Library?
The mechanics are simple: anyone who passes by the Little Free Library can take a book home to read, or leave a book for someone else to take.
When Bol shared the idea with Rick Brooks, they both went on to build and install more of these “book houses” across the Midwestern United States, and the idea spread from there.
Since then, the concept has grown into a nonprofit organization with the goal of inspiring a love for reading, building community, and sparking creativity by encouraging the free exchange of books.
Why Are Little Free Libraries Important?
Research has shown that when children grow up in homes with plenty of books, they tend to have three more years of schooling than the children who grow up in homes without any books.
This is one important way Little Free Libraries can contribute to society. In places where access to books is scarce, these little cabinets that offer free books can make a huge difference.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Little Free Library?
The Little Free Library organization offers pre-built libraries and kits, beginning at about $150. But you also have the option of building your own book cabinet, which will then depend on your own budget.
Some stewards prefer to build their own cabinets from scratch, while others get creative by upcycling old furniture or other items. Then, you can file to register the structure with Little Free Library to be included in their directory of Little Free Libraries around the world.
Little Free Library Plans You Can Use
If you want to build your own Little Free Library, check out these sites where you can download free building plans:
1. Simple Little Free Library
Difficulty Level: Easy
For a simple project, here is a plan from the Little Free Library website itself. Or, take a look at this directory that offers many other designs!
2. At Home with Ashley
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Blogger and interior designer Ashley created this Little Free Library from an existing kitchen cabinet that she no longer used. A used cabinet is a great piece of furniture for building your Little Free Library.
3. Vermont Bridge Little Free Library Plan
Difficulty Level: Moderate
This complete guide will help you create your own Little Free Library that’s weatherproof and slightly larger than the standard template given provided by the Little Free Library website. This means you can actually accommodate taller books, making it an ideal choice for lots of children’s books.
4. Urban Gardeners Little Free Library
Difficulty Level: Moderate
This plan is for a little cabinet that you can mount on the side of a wall of an existing structure, such as a garden shed. This was first mounted on a community garden shed in the Yukon.
5. Whimsical Little Free Library
Difficulty Level: Advanced
If you want more than a regular Little Free Library, this whimsical design may suit your fancy. The person who posted this design had a clever idea of building out the model on cardboard before actually working with the wood; if you prefer to make your own design, you can use her tactic, too!
6. Dave Melenberg’s Slant-Roofed Little Free Library
Difficulty Level: Easy
If you want to skip the trouble of connecting joints between two slanted roofs, this plan may be for you. The great thing about it is that he even shows you how to cut your wood to maximize the pieces!
7. Families That Stick Little Free Library
Difficulty Level: Easy
This child-friendly plan can turn your Little Free Library dream into a family project. This was originally from the blog called Families That Stick (the link of which is no longer working), but has since been offered for free at the National Association of Women in Construction in Philadelphia.
8. Clock Tower Little Free Library
Difficulty Level: Difficult
If you’re up for a more challenging project, check out this Clock Tower design created by someone whose neighborhood actually had a clock tower landmark! Plus, it comes with a special compartment for the treasure hunt game Geocaching.
Build Your Own Little Free Library
If you love books and would like to spread the love of books to those around you, consider setting up a Little Free Library where you can share your own books and also encourage the neighborhood to share theirs.
But if you feel like you don’t have the knack for building things from scratch, you can always take a look at these ready-made plans that you can just assemble, or even pre-built designs!
For more ways to spread the love with books you no longer need, check out our post on 11 places to donate used books.
How would you design a Little Free Library? Tell us about your project in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- Where to Donate Books: 11 Places to Give Away Your Old Reads
- How to Set Up a Personal Library in 7 Steps
- Where to Sell Used Books: Sites and Stores That Will Give You Cash for Your Books
- Cheap Used Books: Where to Find the Best Deals on Textbooks, Fiction, and More
Yen Cabag is the Blog Writer of TCK Publishing. She is also a homeschooling mom, family coach, and speaker for the Charlotte Mason method, an educational philosophy that places great emphasis on classic literature and the masterpieces in art and music. She has also written several books, both fiction and nonfiction. Her passion is to see the next generation of children become lovers of reading and learning in the midst of short attention spans.
