While reading a favorite blog early last year ("Bread Box or Bird House," by Caroline Miller, booksbycarolinemiller.com, 3/29/13,) I was happy to learn about a most fun and interactive notion, that being, a "lending box." I had never heard of such a thing, but knew immediately this was, 1) something we would love to build, and 2) something that would be a wonderful asset to our street and neighborhood. As I continued reading, I learned lending boxes, or library boxes as they are sometimes called, are water-tight structures that are quite often placed in ones front yard or common space, built to any creative specifications one can imagine, and invite everyone to, "take a book, leave a book." So, with hammer in hand we built an over-sized bird house with a fancy roof and large door and named it "Read Box," a take-off, of sorts, on the DVD Red Box that is currently so popular. With our lending box built and simply attached to a post, all that was left to do was fill it with books.
At first, I wasn't sure where I would find enough children's and adult books to keep a steady supply of each available to anyone who wanted a book. Luckily, just around the corner is our library's used book annex. After explaining to the manager that we had built a lending library, she eagerly filled three bags with books of various genres, shapes and sizes and our lending library was soon filled to the brim with inviting titles. And it has never been empty since. Once discovered, passersby are more than eager to bring back books they, too, would like to share and in this way, everyone is able to continue taking, and leaving, books to read, indefinitely, and with very little assistance from me. This wonderful idea of giving and taking books has proven to work not only in theory, but also in practice.
One very fun aspect of building our lending library was to discover, the Little Free Library, a worldwide organization at www.littlefreelibary.com which encourages and promotes literacy and the love of reading all over the world. Registering for a very nominal fee with the Little Free Library allows ones box to be added to their global map which shows the locations of over 15,000 boxes worldwide, in addition to receiving other benefits and tips available to members. Information and assistance can be found at this site to help anyone, anywhere interested in building, or purchasing a pre-made library box.
Our little lending box has provided a place where children and adults can find a book. But even more than that, it has given us all the opportunity to share favorite titles, to spend a few minutes visiting, and to get to know individuals we might not have had an opportunity to know, otherwise. What a fun venture this has been for our family, one that has not only allowed us to discover new authors, new titles and treasures, but one that has hopefully allowed others to find a book that may even become especially meaningful to them. "Lending Libraries" -- a great idea, and a very fun way to provide yet, another opportunity for everyone to read.
Christine
At first, I wasn't sure where I would find enough children's and adult books to keep a steady supply of each available to anyone who wanted a book. Luckily, just around the corner is our library's used book annex. After explaining to the manager that we had built a lending library, she eagerly filled three bags with books of various genres, shapes and sizes and our lending library was soon filled to the brim with inviting titles. And it has never been empty since. Once discovered, passersby are more than eager to bring back books they, too, would like to share and in this way, everyone is able to continue taking, and leaving, books to read, indefinitely, and with very little assistance from me. This wonderful idea of giving and taking books has proven to work not only in theory, but also in practice.
One very fun aspect of building our lending library was to discover, the Little Free Library, a worldwide organization at www.littlefreelibary.com which encourages and promotes literacy and the love of reading all over the world. Registering for a very nominal fee with the Little Free Library allows ones box to be added to their global map which shows the locations of over 15,000 boxes worldwide, in addition to receiving other benefits and tips available to members. Information and assistance can be found at this site to help anyone, anywhere interested in building, or purchasing a pre-made library box.
Our little lending box has provided a place where children and adults can find a book. But even more than that, it has given us all the opportunity to share favorite titles, to spend a few minutes visiting, and to get to know individuals we might not have had an opportunity to know, otherwise. What a fun venture this has been for our family, one that has not only allowed us to discover new authors, new titles and treasures, but one that has hopefully allowed others to find a book that may even become especially meaningful to them. "Lending Libraries" -- a great idea, and a very fun way to provide yet, another opportunity for everyone to read.
Christine
