Little Free Library

Little Free Library is an organization that promotes the sharing of books by small neighborhood repositories maintained by individuals in the community. I’d read about the practice and a short time ago spotted the above installation off Mass Ave in Cambridge. I chose to post the photo on Facebook yesterday and was struck by how many comments it received. There clearly is interest in bringing the Little Free Library movement to Lowell.

While it’s something you can do on your own – just build a watertight container, place it in your front yard, and fill it with books for people to borrow, take, restock – there is a formal organization, LittleFreeLibrary.org that guides this movement nationally, provides plans and guidelines, and even sells ready made libraries and kits. Here’s how LittleFreeLibrary describes itself:

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!

Here’s a video that illustrates the concept:

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I know a lot of people in Lowell who love books, so there’s a good chance this movement could quickly gain a foothold in the city. Any ideas or suggestions? Who will be the first to build a Little Free Library in Lowell?