We have three within a quarter mile of us, and all seem active. One is a specialty one - book character themed and presumably stocked with that book series. (which my kids just aren't into, but I think is cool)

All are on streets that get lots of walking traffic, lots of kids and families going by.

Please don’t be discouraged OP, it’s a great idea and would be great activity to do with your kids. You will always find someone with something negative to say, don’t worry about it though because they are the people that WONT be using your box.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t. They are cool in theory. But in my experience, are lame. In wealthy neighborhoods, the families are already going to the regular library weekly at least or are buying plenty of books. In the neighborhoods where kids might not have access to books frequently- they either aren’t used or nothing gets replaced. Even in the neighborhoods were they are used, the replacements are not good books. They are the cast offs grandma got the kids from Goodwill, free at Dr office, random religious book and so on.

I think most people only put books of interest/use in a LFL. I would hardly put a 10 year old college book or something with the cover torn off there.

So much crap in my closest LFL. Thankfully the librarian cleans it out periodically or it would fill up with outdated technical manuals.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like the consensus is that OP needs to definitely build a little library, minus obnoxious lights, add puzzles, remove 10 year old college textbooks, and stock a surplus of velveteen rabbit books. Hope it works out well for you OP!

Yeah. I’m kind of feeling put off and discouraged by these comments. But I’m a former English teacher and have a preschooler. We have loved going to Free Libraries so I really loved the idea of putting one up when we finally purchase a house. Now I’m second guessing and thinking of all the ways neighbors will judge me and dump junk off/ vandalize the library… urghh

Don’t feel discouraged.

OP is trying to set up one three houses away from an existing LFL, which is why she’s getting some of the suggestions. Some people don’t think it’s an issue and some people have issues with all the books. If you want to then open your own library up.

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like the consensus is that OP needs to definitely build a little library, minus obnoxious lights, add puzzles, remove 10 year old college textbooks, and stock a surplus of velveteen rabbit books. Hope it works out well for you OP!

Yeah. I’m kind of feeling put off and discouraged by these comments. But I’m a former English teacher and have a preschooler. We have loved going to Free Libraries so I really loved the idea of putting one up when we finally purchase a house. Now I’m second guessing and thinking of all the ways neighbors will judge me and dump junk off/ vandalize the library… urghh

Sounds like the consensus is that OP needs to definitely build a little library, minus obnoxious lights, add puzzles, remove 10 year old college textbooks, and stock a surplus of velveteen rabbit books. Hope it works out well for you OP!

Yes just remove the terrible stuff. People love to dump silly self help books that someone gifted them into these. It helps to have someone paying attention and getting rid of things that have been sitting for a week or so.

You've inspired me to remember to take some of my books to the 2 LFL I pass when I pick up my kid. So thanks!

I can't imagine that someone who already has one would be annoyed? WTF? It's more books. GREAT!

There are are so many LFLs in Arlington - and the ones in a yard, especially on a busy street with very little foot traffic don’t make any sense to me.

The best LFLs are in a populated area - on the block leading up to a popular park - next to a school.

Ours is right at the bus stop. Kids constantly give and take. The parents too.

There are several in our neighborhood, and they all seem to get a lot of use. But it's a very walker-friendly area, so people are passing by them all the time. I don't think it's rude to install one if there's another one nearby. It's not a business you're competing with. We use the ones near us all the time, both taking and donating.

We have one near downtown Silver Spring. I haven’t found that they’re filled with unwanted books at all. I do go through ours once a month and remove anything that has been sitting. But I always see (and add myself) lots of good stuff. We have several book clubs in our area too and I often find a couple of copies of a new hot hardcover from them. And we have a great brand new library right down the street. We love ours, love meeting people by it, and love the few times we’ve found little anonymous love notes from users too!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t. They are cool in theory. But in my experience, are lame. In wealthy neighborhoods, the families are already going to the regular library weekly at least or are buying plenty of books. In the neighborhoods where kids might not have access to books frequently- they either aren’t used or nothing gets replaced. Even in the neighborhoods were they are used, the replacements are not good books. They are the cast offs grandma got the kids from Goodwill, free at Dr office, random religious book and so on.

I think most people only put books of interest/use in a LFL. I would hardly put a 10 year old college book or something with the cover torn off there.

Ones in my neighborhood are filled with cast off self help books, romance novels, garage sale reject books, and those dollar store board books relatives probably have to someone’s kids

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are 2 LFL in "competition" on my block. The newer Johnny come lately tries to entice people with spotlights at night and signage. It's a little obnoxious tbh. I still support the older, more established one. But having more LFL is a good thing.

This "competition" is taking up a lot of space in your mind!

It's OK. have a lot of space up there

Anonymous wrote:Don’t. They are cool in theory. But in my experience, are lame. In wealthy neighborhoods, the families are already going to the regular library weekly at least or are buying plenty of books. In the neighborhoods where kids might not have access to books frequently- they either aren’t used or nothing gets replaced. Even in the neighborhoods were they are used, the replacements are not good books. They are the cast offs grandma got the kids from Goodwill, free at Dr office, random religious book and so on.

I think most people only put books of interest/use in a LFL. I would hardly put a 10 year old college book or something with the cover torn off there.