Last week I walked to the shops and back, strategically passing three Little Free Libraries. These seem to be popping up everywhere in the neighborhood these days.
For those who haven’t seen them, these are tiny libraries that people put out in their yards, usually close to the street or sidewalk. The books are free, “take a book, leave a book.” Decorations are individualized by the owner.
I have been taking advantage of these little libraries by leaving a few books that I have been clearing from my own collection.
One of my patients put up a Little Free Library outside her home. She told me each one seems to have its own character. Historical books are the big movers in her library.
On my walk today, I saw that one library still had 2 of my books that I had left there over the past month. Another library had neither book I had deposited; I hope this means they found a new home.
The third library was new to me. When I stopped to take a look, I decided to take a book home with me. This seems like an occupational hazard if one is going to inspect these Little Free Libraries.
One library has a lot of action stories (think Robert Ludlum) and another has quite a few contemporary fiction books. I can’t tell if people in the neighborhood are interested in those books, or if these are the leftovers no one wants.
I would like to give my books a good chance at going to a good home, rather than sitting forlornly for weeks, waiting to be picked up.
I’ll have to keep an eye on these libraries, and see what sort of books come and go. If nothing else, I have a new reason for taking a walk around the neighborhood.