Tip of the Week – Do research on the “Little Free Library” project.  Look for a library near you or start your own.

This week, we get to let you in on a project we think is really important – Little Free Libraries. “Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that inspires a love of reading, builds community, and sparks creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world.”

A Little Free Library is a small box placed in an accessible area of a neighborhood, like a street corner or front yard, and serves as a book exchange. Members of the community are free to leave a book and or take a book. This is a great way for community members, and especially children, to have much needed access to quality reading material.

Little Free Libraries fit great into what were doing at SoCe Life because it’s a simple example of the disciplines of sharing and borrowing. These two disciplines are essential to building community in neighborhoods.

Little Free Library offers a network that allows you to locate Little Free Libraries near you. If there’s not one near you, create your own! You can figure out how to get started and register with Little Free Library here.

If you do start your own, consider making a short note about your new library to give to your neighbors. Not only will they be in the loop and feel free to use the library, delivering a note is a great way to have a conversation with them.

Our Little Free Library outside the SoCe Life office has been a great avenue for us to have conversations with the people who interact with the book exchange. We hope it can be helpful for you too. If you find a Little Free Library or build one of your own, share a picture with us on Facebook!

Happy neighboring!