Little Free Libraries

The Little Free Libraries initiative, a Metro United Way partnership with the 2014 Bingham Fellows, gives neighbors and businesses an opportunity to host libraries in their front yards so that families that might not have easy access to the public library, or have books in their home, can get free books in their own neighborhood.

Please contact us to discuss your book drive or the “Dear Reader” Note project!

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Book Donations

 

Because we know access to books is a leading indicator of a child’s success in school, we build, maintain, and fill a network of more than 40 Little Free Libraries. Since installing the first libraries in 2015, we’ve distributed 200,000 books. These libraries provide free and easy access to books for children and families who may live a distance from public libraries or lack convenient transportation. We can use your support to help keep the libraries full! You can donate new or gently used books to ensure that everyone who visits the libraries has books.

  • WHAT TO DONATE

    • Books for children, youth and adults that are in good condition.
    • Books written by and about people of color. Seeing themselves in books helps children with the vital skill of reading with comprehension and establishes an affinity with reading – the more children enjoy reading, and find meaning there, the more they will come back to books.

  • WHAT NOT TO DONATE

    • Large books (they don’t fit in the libraries)
    • Textbooks, encyclopedias, dictionaries, guidebooks, out of date texts, etc.
    • Torn, water-damaged, moldy or dirty/dusty books
    • Magazines, newspapers, etc.
    • Romance novels

Congratulations to Mary Sullivan!

Todd H. Bol Award for Outstanding Achievement

Congratulations to our retired master community builder, Mary Sullivan, for receiving a 2024 Todd H. Bol Award for Outstanding Achievement! We’ve distributed 250,000 books together through our Little Free Libraries!

Learn More Here

“DEAR READER” NOTES

You can add impact to your book donation by creating “Dear Reader” Notes that will be affixed to the inside cover of the book. Adding this label builds a connection from the donor to the recipient and the recipient to the donor. “Dear Reader” Notes can be done in-person or virtually. If you would like to add the “Dear Reader” Note component to your project, please contact us to discuss the details.

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Little Free Library Locations:

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