Have you noticed people taking down their little free libraries?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the first time Ive heard of a little free library. Are they really that popular? How do they work? Is it mainly children’s books?

Mainly trash.

Not the ones near me. I always find good quality books in good shape. Lots of popular titles that and current publications.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not want something that attracts strangers to my property. It's more appropriate for say a public school or a shopping centre.

What an odd perspective, people probably walk by your “property” every single day. I get books and drop off books on my dog walks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who is visiting a LFL in this weather?

Fit people who walk outside, no matter the weather. Dog owners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its time to let them go, take it down.

wait what??? how is someone having one on their property like... a thing that you have an opinion on?? you dont have to use them, or even notice them, they are so small.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know two friends who have both removed their front yard free library boxes recently.

One because their attorney said it had potential liability exposure concerns (she didn’t elaborate what specifically). I can’t imagine what that could’ve meant, it was just a little library like lots of people have. I think she bought it at a farmers market.

Another couple removed theirs because they said it made them feel like they were more likely to be targeted for having it in front of their house. That’s scary too.


I’m wondering if we should take ours down now.

Is this something to worry about?

The legal issue likely has to do with premises liability, i.e. if someone is injured on your property. The duty of care you owe as a property owner depends on whether the visitor on your property is an invitee, a licensee, or a trespasser. You generally are not responsible for injuries sustained by trespassers, but for the other two categories you have a duty to maintain your premises in a safe condition and/or warn about risks. Someone who enters your property to access your FPL will likely be viewed by a court to be an invitee.

Torts are not my practice area, and premises liability laws differ based on jurisdiction. However, if you are concerned that your FPL may make you open to liability, speak to your lawyer about it and figure out what your insurance policy covers. At the very least, be aware that you likely have a legal obligation to keep the area required to access to FPL secure against slips and falls and anything else that could cause an injury.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the first time Ive heard of a little free library. Are they really that popular? How do they work? Is it mainly children’s books?

Mainly trash.

Not the ones near me. I always find good quality books in good shape. Lots of popular titles that and current publications.

Uh huh, where?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not taking mine down but we honestly don't get enough foot traffic for it to work.

So what's the point?

Virtue signaling. It’s been a dumb trend since their inception. Bunch of NPR listening bots.

The people who have LFL up in their yards are totally clueless to the fact that they're filled with moldy books from the 60' in them and every single person who opens it wonders why it's still there but for laziness I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the first time Ive heard of a little free library. Are they really that popular? How do they work? Is it mainly children’s books?

Mainly trash.

Not the ones near me. I always find good quality books in good shape. Lots of popular titles that and current publications.

Uh huh, where?

NW DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not taking mine down but we honestly don't get enough foot traffic for it to work.

So what's the point?

Virtue signaling. It’s been a dumb trend since their inception. Bunch of NPR listening bots.

The people who have LFL up in their yards are totally clueless to the fact that they're filled with moldy books from the 60' in them and every single person who opens it wonders why it's still there but for laziness I guess.

I live in fairly affluent area of a small city with a university nearby, have a park designed by Olmstead and have them all over ou neighborhood and they almost always have best sellers, hard covers and new books in them and change quite frequently- also have advanced readers copies and non-fiction. I think a lot of older people who read a lot but wont keep a book if they dont like it and our local public library has months long waiting lists. its in a colder area of teh country and I've noticed ppl in colder areas all over basically identify as book people- maybe they buy the. books and dont actually read them and that is why they end up in the LFL! but its how they self identify.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not taking mine down but we honestly don't get enough foot traffic for it to work.

So what's the point?

Virtue signaling. It’s been a dumb trend since their inception. Bunch of NPR listening bots.

The people who have LFL up in their yards are totally clueless to the fact that they're filled with moldy books from the 60' in them and every single person who opens it wonders why it's still there but for laziness I guess.

What are you talking about? Most people who have them on their property are checking them regularly. The forgotten ones are usually forgotten scout projects or not taken down when someone moves.

I posted previously, but I got one to share the endless stream of books I get sent from publishers (some advance copies, some finished). Good Morning America also sends out copies of their book club picks to LFL owners (if they are registered and fill out the request forms).

I also have bookmarks and dog treats in mine.

[Anonymous]

I can't stand them. They are virtue signaling and filled with crap that no one wants. Plus, most people read digitally now.

[Anonymous]

They make neighborhoods look junky. I hate them. (And I am a bookworm who is a proponent of real, actual libraries.)

[Anonymous]

Little Free Libraries are a dumb idea and the whole point is virtue signaling since you can just go to the Big Free Library in every town. But of course your neighbors won’t know how erudite you are in you just check books out of the public library without making a show of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not taking mine down but we honestly don't get enough foot traffic for it to work.

So what's the point?

Virtue signaling. It’s been a dumb trend since their inception. Bunch of NPR listening bots.

The people who have LFL up in their yards are totally clueless to the fact that they're filled with moldy books from the 60' in them and every single person who opens it wonders why it's still there but for laziness I guess.

What are you talking about? Most people who have them on their property are checking them regularly. The forgotten ones are usually forgotten scout projects or not taken down when someone moves.

I posted previously, but I got one to share the endless stream of books I get sent from publishers (some advance copies, some finished). Good Morning America also sends out copies of their book club picks to LFL owners (if they are registered and fill out the request forms).

I also have bookmarks and dog treats in mine.

Are you in Annandale?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They make neighborhoods look junky. I hate them. (And I am a bookworm who is a proponent of real, actual libraries.)

They make neighborhoods look junky. They do so does all those empty newspaper boxes no one wants to remove even though they haven't been used in 2-3 decades. As well as the "empathy" signs everywhere. Combined it makes for a junky looking neighborhood in general.