Little Free Library Etiquette

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t do it with one 3 houses away.

Agree. Can you talk to a local school or community center and offer to put one there? I get that it would be a little harder for you to maintain if you have to walk/drive somewhere, but having 2 LFLs 3 houses apart is a little weird.

[Anonymous]

I'm in the camp with others recommending to check a local school, or better yet, a Title 1 school, regarding donations.

[Anonymous]

Our neighborhood has a puzzle one and it's great! How many times do you do puzzles more than once? I feel like it gets used more than the book libraries in our neighborhood - there is often a completely new selection of puzzles of every size when I go past. Some of that may be from the owners pulling things that aren't circulating and keeping a good variety in it - either way I highly recommend it!

[Anonymous]

I totally do not get the LFL concept in a MC/UMC neighborhood. There is the library. It has tons of books. Most people have cars.

I guess in the city or a poorer/mixed neighborhood where people would have more trouble getting to the library this would be good but I mostly seem to see them in spots where people are highly likely to already be able to get to the library.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I totally do not get the LFL concept in a MC/UMC neighborhood. There is the library. It has tons of books. Most people have cars.

I guess in the city or a poorer/mixed neighborhood where people would have more trouble getting to the library this would be good but I mostly seem to see them in spots where people are highly likely to already be able to get to the library.

I walk past our LFL everyday. If I am finished with a book or could use a new one, I peak in. Sure I eventually get to the library and sometimes there is nothing of interest but it is still a nice thing to have. When I see one of my books disappears, I am happy that I was able to share. Kids LOVE checking it out too when they are walking from the bus or to the park.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I totally do not get the LFL concept in a MC/UMC neighborhood. There is the library. It has tons of books. Most people have cars.

I guess in the city or a poorer/mixed neighborhood where people would have more trouble getting to the library this would be good but I mostly seem to see them in spots where people are highly likely to already be able to get to the library.

Same. I assume is is a 20 something new homeowner who wants to post about it on social media for likes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I totally do not get the LFL concept in a MC/UMC neighborhood. There is the library. It has tons of books. Most people have cars.

I guess in the city or a poorer/mixed neighborhood where people would have more trouble getting to the library this would be good but I mostly seem to see them in spots where people are highly likely to already be able to get to the library.

I walk past our LFL everyday. If I am finished with a book or could use a new one, I peak in. Sure I eventually get to the library and sometimes there is nothing of interest but it is still a nice thing to have. When I see one of my books disappears, I am happy that I was able to share. Kids LOVE checking it out too when they are walking from the bus or to the park.

Yes! The thing that distinguishes the good LFLs from the sad LFLs is that the good ones seem to have some level of maintenance: There are no books that have been sitting unwanted for more than a year (unlike one about a half-mile from our house, full of 30YO paperbacks with bleached spines -- folks, it's recycling time)

Neighbors have multiple LFLs in their yard -- Teen & adult, picture books, Spanish. I have a hard time getting rid of books, but I know there's no point in hanging on to paperbacks, which be crumbling garbage in a few years, and it's nice to pass them along with very little effort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I totally do not get the LFL concept in a MC/UMC neighborhood. There is the library. It has tons of books. Most people have cars.

I guess in the city or a poorer/mixed neighborhood where people would have more trouble getting to the library this would be good but I mostly seem to see them in spots where people are highly likely to already be able to get to the library.

Same. I assume is is a 20 something new homeowner who wants to post about it on social media for likes

McLean 22101 really doesn’t need a LFL. Also looking at you, 22182. Your LFLs are twee and precious. But it’s a great photo op and blog subject, no?

[Anonymous]

LFL are great, just not three houses away. That’s overkill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I totally do not get the LFL concept in a MC/UMC neighborhood. There is the library. It has tons of books. Most people have cars.

I guess in the city or a poorer/mixed neighborhood where people would have more trouble getting to the library this would be good but I mostly seem to see them in spots where people are highly likely to already be able to get to the library.

Some people work during the hours when libraries are open.
Some parents don't take their kids to the library.
Some neighborhoods don't have a library within walking/biking distance.
Some people don't let their kids walk/bike to the neighborhood library if it is nearby.
Some of the older people in the neighborhood might not drive anymore and priorities other errands when they can secure transportation.

Those are just a few ideas, but there are plenty more.

Some people just love books and want to share them. I have a neighbor who gardens and puts a table in front of her house to share her flowers, herbs, and veggies. We aren't far from a grocery store, but sharing makes her and all of us happy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I totally do not get the LFL concept in a MC/UMC neighborhood. There is the library. It has tons of books. Most people have cars.

I guess in the city or a poorer/mixed neighborhood where people would have more trouble getting to the library this would be good but I mostly seem to see them in spots where people are highly likely to already be able to get to the library.

We have several in my UMC neighborhood. When I see them, I tend to think that people there are generally vested in their neighborhood and like each other. There is a certain trust in putting one on your own property and that people will respect it.

I don't see them as widely setup or used in lower income neighborhoods They cost money to set up and maintain and if there isn't a lot of income to spare and they can just walk a few blocks to one in another neighborhood, then it doesn't seem necessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I totally do not get the LFL concept in a MC/UMC neighborhood. There is the library. It has tons of books. Most people have cars.

I guess in the city or a poorer/mixed neighborhood where people would have more trouble getting to the library this would be good but I mostly seem to see them in spots where people are highly likely to already be able to get to the library.

We have several in my UMC neighborhood. When I see them, I tend to think that people there are generally vested in their neighborhood and like each other. There is a certain trust in putting one on your own property and that people will respect it.

I don't see them as widely setup or used in lower income neighborhoods They cost money to set up and maintain and if there isn't a lot of income to spare and they can just walk a few blocks to one in another neighborhood, then it doesn't seem necessary.

I think they do well in neighborhoods where people are frequent book buyers. If not, where would the stock come from? This is more likely to be a MC or UMC area.

[Anonymous]

We have a lot of LFLs in my Silver Spring neighborhood. It makes sense because we have a lot of walkers, families, and educated people, who I assume like to read. I'd get the lay of the land in the new neighborhood first and then fill the gap, if there is one. If the first LFL is mostly adult books, maybe yours can be for kids or something else. I do think that having a duplicate LFL three doors away may be unnecessary, and perhaps you can contribute to the one that already exists, but it may be nice to have a different offering. Someone in my neighborhood has a Little Free Nursery where folks share plants/seedings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I totally do not get the LFL concept in a MC/UMC neighborhood. There is the library. It has tons of books. Most people have cars.

I guess in the city or a poorer/mixed neighborhood where people would have more trouble getting to the library this would be good but I mostly seem to see them in spots where people are highly likely to already be able to get to the library.

Same. I assume is is a 20 something new homeowner who wants to post about it on social media for likes

Uh, no. Some of us are middle-aged people who love to read.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I totally do not get the LFL concept in a MC/UMC neighborhood. There is the library. It has tons of books. Most people have cars.

I guess in the city or a poorer/mixed neighborhood where people would have more trouble getting to the library this would be good but I mostly seem to see them in spots where people are highly likely to already be able to get to the library.

Same. I assume is is a 20 something new homeowner who wants to post about it on social media for likes

Uh, no. Some of us are middle-aged people who love to read.

Then…don’t you just go to real library?

I love to read too and we go at least weekly. Why would I be interested in LFL castoffs?