Little Free Library Etiquette

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had such a disappointing experience this weekend! I went to a few boxes this weekend looking for a good book to read for the upcoming long weekend. What a scene. Trash were in some, books from the 60's with mold, ripped covers and no covers, ripped pamphlets, doors ripped of some and empty (why haven't these been fixed or removed by the owners?) There were not only no decent books these are now used as what appears to be trash cans. What a total disappointment.

This movement seems to be long over. This is why we can't have nice things. This is what happens.

Definitely not over where I live. We have multiple LFLs on the same block on our street alone and both are regularly tended to by their owners, including a water bowl for dogs at one of them. The inventory is a mixed bag with some titles remaining seemingly forever; but the LFLs are full - one often overflowing - and a variety of genres, from kid to adult.

Where is this?

I see people pushing these LFL and I've yet to find one with anything remotely decent in it.

[Anonymous]

The idea of LFL was great 15 years ago. Now they're as sad as those empty newspaper stands you seeing lying on their side. Just depressing. I've attempted to reactive them but putting good books in them but never, in 15 years got one good book out of one. Not one. I then started donating my read books back to the thrift store because, what was the point?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The idea of LFL was great 15 years ago. Now they're as sad as those empty newspaper stands you seeing lying on their side. Just depressing. I've attempted to reactive them but putting good books in them but never, in 15 years got one good book out of one. Not one. I then started donating my read books back to the thrift store because, what was the point?

The ones in DC I’ve been to are great. I snagged Crying in H Mart the other day. I mostly donate to the one near my condo. The books turnover quickly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Donate books people might actually want to read. Otherwise the LFL is full of Fodors 1985 Guide to the USSR.

Yes! I used to clean out a neighboring one. Please also do not donate stained, falling-apart, old and outdated books, supplies, clothes. I’ve spent so much time trashing these at donation centers. Throw it away. Or, consider if you don’t want crappy stuff, others don’t want it either. Finally, do the right thing and buy some new stuff for foster kids.

[getting off soap box]

[Anonymous]

Ours is great but it’s 100% kid books. I’ve never once seen an adult book. I would love to do an adult book exchange since our public libraries barely have any physical books.

[Anonymous]

The one by the climbing rocks at Bluemont Trail is fine. I donate to it and have left new/slightly used art supplies too. My ambition exceeded my talent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had such a disappointing experience this weekend! I went to a few boxes this weekend looking for a good book to read for the upcoming long weekend. What a scene. Trash were in some, books from the 60's with mold, ripped covers and no covers, ripped pamphlets, doors ripped of some and empty (why haven't these been fixed or removed by the owners?) There were not only no decent books these are now used as what appears to be trash cans. What a total disappointment.

This movement seems to be long over. This is why we can't have nice things. This is what happens.

Definitely not over where I live. We have multiple LFLs on the same block on our street alone and both are regularly tended to by their owners, including a water bowl for dogs at one of them. The inventory is a mixed bag with some titles remaining seemingly forever; but the LFLs are full - one often overflowing - and a variety of genres, from kid to adult.

Where is this?

I see people pushing these LFL and I've yet to find one with anything remotely decent in it.

South Arlington

[Anonymous]

I have a LFL, I try to rotate and add to it as I can. If people take from it, great, that is what it is for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ours is great but it’s 100% kid books. I’ve never once seen an adult book. I would love to do an adult book exchange since our public libraries barely have any physical books.

"I would love to do an adult book exchange since our public libraries barely have any physical books."

What?

[Anonymous]

The LFL in Northern Virginia are the saddest ones I've ever seen. Literal garbage cans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The LFL in Northern Virginia are the saddest ones I've ever seen. Literal garbage cans.

Well, do something about it then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The LFL in Northern Virginia are the saddest ones I've ever seen. Literal garbage cans.

+1 I've given up on using them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The LFL in Northern Virginia are the saddest ones I've ever seen. Literal garbage cans.

Well, do something about it then.

That’s because my ILs use them as a dumping ground and I’m so sorry. Recently they shoved VHS tapes and some random travel guides.

So, I’ve done something about this; my alma mater maintains a nature library for children. I routinely add dozens of thrifted books and rotate the stock. I’ve donated about 100 books thus far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had such a disappointing experience this weekend! I went to a few boxes this weekend looking for a good book to read for the upcoming long weekend. What a scene. Trash were in some, books from the 60's with mold, ripped covers and no covers, ripped pamphlets, doors ripped of some and empty (why haven't these been fixed or removed by the owners?) There were not only no decent books these are now used as what appears to be trash cans. What a total disappointment.

This movement seems to be long over. This is why we can't have nice things. This is what happens.

Definitely not over where I live. We have multiple LFLs on the same block on our street alone and both are regularly tended to by their owners, including a water bowl for dogs at one of them. The inventory is a mixed bag with some titles remaining seemingly forever; but the LFLs are full - one often overflowing - and a variety of genres, from kid to adult.

Where is this?

I see people pushing these LFL and I've yet to find one with anything remotely decent in it.

+1 Never anything recent, just 20-year old+ yellowed paperbacks and other dreck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The idea of LFL was great 15 years ago. Now they're as sad as those empty newspaper stands you seeing lying on their side. Just depressing. I've attempted to reactive them but putting good books in them but never, in 15 years got one good book out of one. Not one. I then started donating my read books back to the thrift store because, what was the point?

The ones in DC I’ve been to are great. I snagged Crying in H Mart the other day. I mostly donate to the one near my condo. The books turnover quickly.

+1 on Capitol Hill, we have one a block in some places, and the owners are great at upkeep. Books cycle out quickly. I regularly find great stuff, as do my kids.