America’s ‘Little Free Library’ movement started in Wisconsin

A Little Free Library in Hales Corners, Wisconsin

By Christina Lorey

October 15, 2024

DID YOU KNOW? For every one public library in the US, there are three Little Free Libraries.

And the “take a book, leave a book” program that’s now in all 50 states, 91 countries, and every continent except Antarctica started in Wisconsin!

15 years ago, Todd Bol of Hudson built a model of a one-room schoolhouse as a tribute to his mother–a teacher who loved to read. He filled it with books and put it on a post in his front yard. His neighbors and friends loved it, so he built several more and gave them away.

Quickly, the program took off! By August 2012, Bol and his co-founder Rick Brooks, hit the same number of free libraries Andrew Carnegie built around the turn of the 20th century: 2,508. Only theirs were small. Today, there are more than 150,000 registered Little Free Libraries around the world.

🌍 Click Here to Find One Near You

FUN FACT: Not every little library looks the same–in fact, most don’t! One of our favorites was carved from the stump of a 110-year-old tree. (#3 on this list.)

There’s even a Little Free Library inside the Library of Congress!

Interested in starting one? It’s as easy as following the three steps below…

📚 Decide on a location and a steward (steward=caretaker). The best locations have lots of foot traffic and are highly visible. They’re also not too close to another Little Free Library. Click here to see how many libraries already exist in your neighborhood.

📚 Get a library. You can build your own, find someone local to build one for you, or buy a library through Little Free Library’s online store. Libraries purchased directly through the non-profit are automatically registered. If not, you’ll need to register yours, so it pops up on maps! Here’s how.

📚 Tell your neighbors, friends, and family about your library. Many owners hold a little “grand opening ceremony” to celebrate the “opening” of your new library in style. Contact the local paper, radio stations, and other news organizations (like us!)

We also recommend reaching out to your local public library if you need help keeping your new library stocked. Many will donate (or sell for very cheap) books that just left circulation.

Author

Christina Lorey

Christina Lorey is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist and former UpNorthNews newsletter editor. She previously worked as a producer, reporter, and TV anchor for stations in Madison and Moline. When she’s not writing or asking questions, Christina volunteers with Girls on the Run, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and several mental health organizations.

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CATEGORIES: LOCAL CULTURE

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