Little Free Libraries Fun!

Every wonder where the Little Free Library (LFL) movement started?  Don’t you love the handmade, whimsical boxes all different scattered about Calgary, many on front lawns, inviting you to take a book as you walk by.  I can’t resist looking in to see if there is a hidden treasure. 

This is all of the LFLs registered in Calgary’s inner city neighbourhoods.

I think this is my favourite Calgary Little Free Library. I love how the homeowner has also added a rocking bench so you can sit and read your book. How civilized!

Thank You Todd & Cheri

They actually originated in Hudson, Wisconsin in 2009 when Todd Bol built a model of a one-room schoolhouse, filled it with books and put it on a post in his front yard as a tribute to his mother who was a book lover and teacher who had recently died. Soon others followed.  Today you can find LFL in over 100 countries. Millions of books are exchanged each year!

Link: Little Free Library Top Ten Stories of 2019

Cheri Macaulay installed Calgary’s first Little Free Library in her front yard in 2012 as part of the “3 Things for Calgary” initiative.  She expected it would take weeks or months for Calgarians to understand what the box was all about and start using it. Instead, within hours half of the books were gone and soon new books appeared.  Though Macaulay passed away in 2019, she will live on with the “Little Free Library” as a legacy.  

Little Free Libraries, incorporated as a not for profit organization in 2012, has an engaging and informative website where you can sign-up for their newsletter and learn about LFL initiatives around the world.  (Personally, I loved the story of the librarian who turned the 110-year old tree in her front lawn into a library in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.)  You can also learn how to build your own LFL and register it so you can get your library on their Little Free Library map. Yes, they have a map of the LFL around the world. 

 Zoom in to find out where all the LFLs are in your neighbourhood (at least those that are registered).  

These are all the LFLs registered near my house. I know there are lots more.

Pedestrian Fun

Currently, Calgary has over a thousand LFLs scattered across the city.  I love how they enhance the pedestrian experience both in older neighbourhoods like mine and in new suburbs.  When flaneuring a neighbourhood I always peek in to see what books are available.  It is fun to see what people are reading, especially your neighbours.  I have found some great hidden gems.

Over the years, I have amassed an interesting collection of LFL photos that I thought, it’s time to share.  Most are in Calgary, with a few from other cities.

This is another one of my favourites. It is quirky piece of folk art.

Several Calgary homeowners have designed a LFL that looks very similar to their house.

This one also mimics the house.

The Hillhurst United Church has a LFL that looks like the church.

Some have a more modernist design.

This old newspaper box makes for a great LFL.

Love the stump and height of this one so kids can reach into library grab a book and sit down.

Calgary street artists has created several LFL for home owners. This is one of my favourites.

No I didn’t take the copy of “Golf for Dummies.” LOL…I already have a copy - hard cover!

I use to pass by this LFL every time I went to yoga. It always made me smile.

The garden is a great spot to sit and read your new favourite book.

Gotta love this green roof LFL in Sunnyside near the LRT station.

I found this LFL in Vancouver’s Mole Hill a very interesting housing cooperative.

The LFL was found flaneuring in Palm Springs. It was inspired by the mid-century modern house.

LAST WORD

I love how small-scale, grassroot initiatives can grow to enhance the quality of life for everyone. And, I love even more how everyday individuals like Todd Bol who passed away in 2018 and Cheri Macaulay made a difference. I will definitely be checking out the LFL in the cottonwood tree next time I’m in Coeur d’Alene.

I also think that in the future I will make a point of checking out the map of LFLs when I am exploring neighbourhoods in other cities.

Link: More LFL in Calgary

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