Little Free Library Community Education Class

Starting & Curating a Little Free Library®

Angela Boccuzzi-ReichertMichelle Ames

©2016 Hilton Central School District & Marketed by Michelle LLC

History of LFL’s• Started in 2009 by Todd Bol in Hudson,

WI as a tribute to his mother• People loved them, so he made more

and gave them to friends• Rick Brooks of UW-Madison saw one

and contacted Todd to discuss how to make a movement…the rest is history


History of LFL’s• Their goal was to create 2,510 little

free libraries – the same number of free public libraries Andrew Carnegie had created – and to keep going

• As of January 2016, there are more than 36,000 LFL’s in the world…all since 2009


The LFL MissionTo promote literacy and the love of

reading by building free book exchanges worldwide and to build a sense of

community as we share skills, creativity, and wisdom across generations.


My LFL Story• First saw a story on Facebook in

2013• Kept it in the back of my mind that I

really wanted to make one• Traded services with a client who

created mine from scrap wood• Installed in Fall 2015


My LFL Story• Proposed the idea of a community education

session on LFL’s to the district, with the idea of including Angella for her excellence in library science (and she’s kind of an awesome person)

• Angella got Mr. D’Agostino involved and his class is building 4 libraries to auction off, with the proceeds to go back to his classroom


My LFL Story

And here we are!©2016 Hilton Central School District & Marketed by Michelle LLC

Getting Started• Create/Purchase your LFL• Wood• Plastic• Old Mini-fridge• Old Microwave• Old Doll House






Some Basic Principles• Keep it water-proof• Watch for hornet nests• Placement is important• Too close to the road may not be safe• Too far from the road may not feel

accessible


Some Basic Principles• Register your library on the LFL

website• Get an official sign and charter number• Get found on the LFL map• Join online communities for official

stewards


Some Basic Principles• Make it yours• Decorate it and/or Paint it

• Put a latch on it, but not a lock• Keep it accessible• Not in the mud, deep snow, etc.

• Put out a bench for people to sit and read


Get the Word Out• Tell everyone• Use social media• Set up a Facebook page

• Have a dedication• Send out press releases• Invite others to bring books


Get the Word Out• Tell everyone• Use social media• Set up a Facebook page

• Have a dedication• Send out press releases• Invite others to bring books


Make a Facebook Page for Your LFL


Curating Your LFL• Finding books• Deciding what books you want in

your LFL• Censorship?• Adding directions, bookmarks, etc.


Curating Your LFL• Culling books that don’t move• To allow things other than books?• Videos• CDs• Toys/Trinkets

• Put in a guest book? Let people leave notes


Potential Issues• Vandalism• Zoning• Water damage• Seasonal issues• Undesirable material• Bees, hornets, etc.


Resources• LittleFreeLibrary.org• facebook.com/LittleFreeLibrary• [email protected]• [email protected]


mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Thank You!

Questions?
