“Being able to hold a tangible book, turn the pages, see the pictures… there’s something really unique and special about that.”
Promoting reading
Little Free Libraries provide free access to books for people of all ages, especially children and young people. Each Little Free Library has a unique artistic design and is filled with books for communities to share. ‘Take a book, return a book, donate a book’ – Everyone is encouraged to take a book, return a book or donate a book or lots of books.
In April 2014 we found out all about ‘Little Free Libraries’ – an idea from America which is gaining popularity here in the UK. At the time there were just 5 of them in the UK; one in Berkhamsted, Launton (Oxfordshire), Colchester, Upminster and one in London’s E5.
Well, we are one year on and we can
add to the list:
Rathgar, Dublin
Edinburgh Inverleith Row/Arboretum Pl, Edinburgh
Methwold, Norfolk
Stirchley, Birmingham
Walthamstow, London E17 (12 libraries!)
Victoria Park Road, Hackney London E9
Maidstone, Kent
In addition, Little Free Library Project – a registered charity, works to support the efforts of littlefreelibrary.org by building and installing Little Free Libraries here in the UK. In May 2014, they installed 12 Little Free Libraries in Walthamstow, outside cafés, pubs and homes. The launch coincided with the opening of the 10th annual E17 Art Trail, one of East London’s most successful artist led projects, which provides a framework for local artists and makers to exhibit and promote their work.
A local resident Kate Bohdanowicz commented “This morning, I walked out of our front door in Walthamstow, to our multi-coloured box at the front gate, where a small child was leafing through a copy of More About Waggy by Patricia Scarry. His mother explained they had just dropped off a couple of his well-read Mr Men titles and in return he was taking this charming 1970s story about a dog with a waggy tail.”
News about Little Free Libraries has also made it to Londonlive, you can see their film here.
Would you like to host a little free library?
This website will show you how you can get involved, or you can email
[email protected] for more information.
When it comes to storing children’s books Herok have the answer. We manufacture sturdy Kinderboxes, book trolleys, library shelving, book and media spinners, book displays and reading corners in a great range of colours. See www.Herok.com for further details of all of our school library furniture products.
