24 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • April 2021
More than a decade ago, Todd H. Bol paid tribute to his
deceased mother, a teacher and avid reader, by construct-
ing a tiny schoolhouse-shaped box, placing it on a pole in his
yard and filling it with books.
What began as a memorial has grown into a global move-
ment, with over 100,000 Little Free Libraries worldwide.
These wholesome book-sharing boxes can be found
in neighborhoods in every state and more than 100
countries. They can be found in sleepy towns,
bustling cities, and even at places of historical
significance, such as the Library of Congress
and the National Museum of the American
Indian in Washington, D.C.
In fact, Little Free Libraries outnum-
ber traditional public libraries by
at least 3-to-1. Anyone can start
their own LFL. The organiza-
tion's website, littlefreeli-
brary.org, explains how in
five simple steps:
But what is it about this concept that has taken hold and
driven so many people from all walks of life to start their
own LFL?
We asked some local Little Free Library owners
about what inspired them. While their stories are
as individual as the book-sharing boxes them-
selves, it all comes down to caring for their com-
munity and, of course, a love for reading.
WRITTEN BY RHIANNON ELLIS
BOOKS IN
1. Choose a location and
caretaker
2. Get some books
3. Register
4. Promote
5. Add your library to the
company's world map
5
steps
to
having
your
own
LFL!
Exploring the area's Little Free Libraries
