I have written about Little Free Libraries before. I'm especially excited about them now because when we return home, I will have my very own waiting for me (thank you so much Mike and Kim).
I cannot wait to fill this when I'm home! So exciting.
These little bird feeders for humans began in 2009 by Todd Bol and Rick Brooks. Together, they saw opportunities to achieve a variety of goals for the common good. They were inspired by many different ideas, one of which was Andrew Carnegie’s support of 2,509 free public libraries around the turn of the 19th to 20th century. Todd and Rick's goal was to build 2,510 Little Free Libraries—as many as Andrew Carnegie—and keep going. Their goal was reached a year and a half before their original target date. By January of this year, the total number of registered Little Free Libraries in the world was conservatively estimated to be over 36,000.
The first Little Free Library in Charleston was this one, installed in 2012 by Fred Herrmann. Part of his motivation was that his house had become overrun with books. In no time, his books were jumping off the shelves. Then his neighbors started coming by to leave their books to help keep the idea sustainable.
This one was started by Sherry, a retired elementary school librarian. The English phone booth was inspired by her many trips to England, leading student tours into the world of Harry Potter. I took a book and left a book at this library. The next day we walked by just as a couple was withdrawing the book I actually left. How cool is that!?
Today's find was at Grace Church. This library was a donation of a parishioner. Its colors greatly resemble the church it is next to.
So of all the Little Free Libraries we have seen, this has to be my favorite. Not only is it huge, but each genre is stored in a mailbox, thus combining two of my loves- mail and books. How totally ingenious and awesome. The mission of the Little Free Libraries is to promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges, worldwide, and to build a sense of community as they share skills, creativity and wisdom across generations. I have witnessed this firsthand here in Charleston. I can't wait to see what my own Little Free Library generates.
"Whenever you read a good book,
somewhere in the world a door opens to allow in more light."
–Vera Nazarian
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2 comments:
I LOVE these little libraries but the last one was the BEST!
Thanks for sharing all those delightful little free libraries. I think you should paint sunflowers on the side of yours :)
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