City Officials Not Happy About Little Free Libraries
Over the last several years, Little Free Libraries have sprung up in many countries around the world. Just in the US alone, there are thousands of Little Free Libraries, and you can now find a location in every single state.
It's estimated that because of this program, that roughly 16 million books are being exchanged every year. And you can now find these library boxes in roughly 80 different countries.
The program spawns from the nonprofit organization by the same name, Little Free Library, that was looking to increase access to books for people around the world and inspire a love of reading in others.
Everyone from children to the elderly and many in-between have sought to establish their own Little Free Library in their community and many can't stop boasting about the benefits that they have seen since installing it.
Those who've started their own say that it doesn't take much time at all for them to start meeting more people in the community and many voluntarily give contributions to the box to make sure that it doesn't get low on stock. They soon see that readers of all ages come to love using it to pick up a new book to read.
There are some boxes that have been vandalized or some that have had their contents stolen. However, most seem to be having a positive experience with their library seeing as it's grown to be something that people now around the world are taking part in.
For those who do decide to build a Little Free Library on their property, they can build their own structure, buy one online, or purchase one through the organization's own catalog. Once built, the library is registered online and from there the library caretaker can receive support, be listed on the map with the other library locations, and more.
Crackdown On Libraries...
Some city officials haven't been as positive about the program as others, and as a result they've taken to fighting back against citizens who seek to set up their own libraries on their private property.
Citizens who have their own free library setup get threatened that they are in violation of city codes and they've been told that their library qualifies as an “illegal detached structure,” which they need to immediately seek the removal of.
Along with those warnings they've also received fines.
However, though some city officials have tried to crackdown, there have been a number of citizens who have been adamant about fighting back and fighting for their right to give away free books on their own property.
One recent success story comes from Toronto, where Mr. George Sherwood was recently told by officials that he wouldn't have to get rid of his library that his daughter previously gave him as a Christmas gift which he later installed on his own property; on his front lawn.
After his story went viral about him receiving a threat and fine from the city, they then changed their mind and took back their notice, after it was determined that the free library posed no safety risk to the community.
There are also other initiatives where city officials and police departments etc are working in the US to build their own Little Free Libraries and promote the reading program; not everyone has been against it.
Hopefully more city officials in the future will seek to occupy themselves with more pressing matters than this. There doesn't seem to be any reason why they would waste time fussing over the actions of private property owners to build a free libraries in their communities to give away free books.
Pics:
Cronkite news via cronkitenewsonline.com/2014/03/little-free-libraries-putting-books-just-down-the-street-in-arizona/index.html
Mary Pieper via globegazette.com/news/local/forest-city-woman-shares-love-of-reading-through-little-free/article_17a95ac1-a3cd-562f-8c54-1dec6c7f969b.html
Jersey Films via quinnsbooknook
Giphy via giphy.com/gifs/book-read-education-HFygVzDVVgzCg
Sources:
https://littlefreelibrary.org/about/
https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2015/02/little-free-library-crackdown/385531/
https://www.treehugger.com/culture/toronto-residents-fight-keep-little-free-library.html
http://www.torontosun.com/2017/09/28/city-turns-the-page-on-notice-of-violation-to-georges-library
http://kfgo.com/news/articles/2016/dec/29/free-little-library-burned-in-minneapolis-arson-suspected/
http://www.fox2detroit.com/news/local-news/memories-of-2-special-children-lead-to-detroit-police-little-free-libraries
http://globegazette.com/news/local/forest-city-woman-shares-love-of-reading-through-little-free/article_17a95ac1-a3cd-562f-8c54-1dec6c7f969b.html
Here in my hometown in the Netherlands we have multiple Little Free Libraries. They work great and the local government even supports them, because there are a lot of people from the community involved in it. Also, these libraries are pretty small and don't threaten the big public libraries in town.
It's a shame that in America the government doesn't appreciate voluntary initiatives like this. That tells a lot about "the land of the free".
Yep, there’s a lot of greed and pettiness in my country, unfortunately. Our politicians are some of the biggest offenders.
What an awesome idea ! Even though a lot just read on line now a days ! There's still those who prefer an actual book ! When I build my little house I might just put one of these little houses beside my bird houses , out on my property front driveway , for the little co op to all share out in the country !! Cool idea I love it 📙📚📑📚📔📓📑📕
We have one near our cottage 2 hours north of Toronto. pretty awesome idea! The government is nuts!
I have a close friend who has a litte free library and little free pantry in her fromt yard. I am amazed by how respectful people have been. Not only ddo homeless use the pantry but so do the neighbors. Borrowing and replacing items on a regular basis.
That is actually inspiring to hear (read).
Just another way the government is "helping" people have more freedom. sigh
Government bureaucrats often feel threatened when the populace demonstrate independent initiatives and this despite being obviously harmless in nature.
Such a shame. WHen people are proactive to help their community it should be rewarded and not interfered with. Libraries should view it as a way to free up resources for other activities such as story time for toddlers. That is where I took my boy this morning. :)
"Free" is the problem . Corrupt people don't care about it's people of the nation all they see is $$ and if they aren't getting it they will remove it .sad
A couple months ago @drpuffnstuff posted a request for someone to build and install a little free library in Steemgigs. I did it, and when I asked the local library if they might have some books they were discarding to stock it with, they were very happy to oblige. They offered boxes of books! I accepted only a couple dozen, as space is limited. They are LITTLE free libraries, after all.
Since then, the two dozen used library books has become full of books, including hardbacks, and DVDs and other media. The library is installed in a laundry room in a trailer park, and several people, when they learned I and @drpuffnstuff had built it, expressed gratitude.
The park managers even advertised the library in their monthly newsletter, to make sure everyone knew it was available for free.
@drpuffnstuff wanted to advertise Steemit, and folks have asked about Steemit too =)
I hope more folks can find a place for a few books in places where people can spend a few minutes with them. Laundry rooms seem to work great!
Thanks!
We have several of these little libraries in our city and I have used them before with my children. Reading opens up so many opportunities for people.