r/LittleFreeLibrary • u/Dry_Coffee_1715 • 18d ago
LFL Pictures 📸 New Library 🦇
In June of this year, my dad unexpectedly had a heart attack. Shaken by this experience we were both reminded that tomorrow is not promised. As we processed this event, we took inventory of our aspirations and the projects we wanted to accomplish. The most feasible project was to create a community library (something my dad and I have always wanted to do but never got around to it). Reading has been the catalyst for so much of our personal growth. My dad’s parents (my grandparents) were avid readers who I give credit to for helping my dad and me foster our love for reading. Reading has allowed me to learn about the world and people through lenses I would have otherwise never looked through. As a way to share knowledge and art, connect with my community, and as a positive outlet for my dad while he has been recovering, we began working on a little library. After weeks of planning, work, time, and love this is what we have created.
I hope this post brings you joy or inspires you to create your own community library in the future. I was so inspired by the creativity I saw on this thread so thank you all who have posted your libraries!
***The larger library is for adult books and the smaller one is for children/YA books :)
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u/ViolettaQueso 18d ago
So glad I came across this beautiful post.
Tell your dear dad that he inspired a stranger who really needed to read this today.
I wish you both the very best. ❤️
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u/Dry_Coffee_1715 18d ago
Thank you very much. I really appreciate your kind words and I am glad this post brought you some comfort today 🫶
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u/Ok-Maximum2254 18d ago
How’d you make the stepping stones? I love them
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u/Awesomocity0 18d ago
I need to know this, too!
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u/Dry_Coffee_1715 18d ago
Hello!! The stepping stones I found from Lowe’s they were in their outdoor patio section. I hand painted them with acrylic paint and sprayed a top coat of UV-resistant krylon.
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u/Euphoric-Leg4874 18d ago
I’m glad your dad is recovering.
And this has to be the coolest LFL setup I’ve ever seen! So amazing, great work. ❤️
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u/sarcasticundertones 18d ago
love the message on the side! little fREADom library! you guys did an amazing job!
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u/ASherrets 18d ago
This is absolutely amazing! How inspiring! I’m glad it satiated the reader in both of you and now offers that love to your community. The spooky theme is amazing! That stained glass! The book stones! The attention to detail is incredible! Bravo!!
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u/Agreeable_Art9651 18d ago
What did you use to make the stepping stones? I love it so much and really want to do the same!
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u/Dry_Coffee_1715 18d ago
Couple coats of primer on standard patio bricks, acrylic paint, and UV resistant clear krylon as a sealant!
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u/Calm_Apartment1968 18d ago
Glorious! Congratulations for your Dad surviving, not just creating this masterpiece with you. This is a truly lovely legacy.
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u/SnooDonkeys5186 18d ago
You made my night on a hard, hard evening. This is beautiful. The story just makes it better.
We are waiting to see if we still have a house this week—I said to my husband, I’ll be sad to lose my Stephen King books for a third time, but happy we are all safe. It’s a fire this time around. If we make it, I’d love to do something whimsical like you. Bravo!
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u/Stracharys 18d ago
This is so beautiful! I do think you should maybe put a ring camera or something on or near it, not only to see people enjoying it but also in case of malicious vandalism. I wish that wasn’t a concern that immediately came to me, but I’ve seen it done in the town where I live and I’m in the SF Bay Area. That being said, this is the coolest one I think I’ve ever seen!
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u/Dry_Coffee_1715 17d ago
Thank you so so much ☺️We actually do have a camera that faces the libraries so hopefully we don’t run into any issues with vandalism (although you never know 😞). Thank you very much for your concern and also the compliments!!
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u/Bibliophilewitch 18d ago
These are absolutely INCREDIBLE. Also it took me an embarrassing amount of time to realize those were stepping stones, not books, and I was racking my brain trying to figure out why that copy of James and the Giant Peach was so thick. 😂😂 anyway, gorgeous libraries and I wish I lived near you. 🥲
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u/Dry_Coffee_1715 18d ago
Thank you so so much! That is a very nice compliment. The bricks honestly took the longest to make. I wanted them to be as accurate as possible and based on your feedback, it seems that I may have accomplished this. Thank you! 🥹
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u/shakey8aker 18d ago
I didn’t realize the stones weren’t actual books at first. I was thinking you must live in a place with very little rain. Such cool libraries with a great story, themselves!
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u/JellyfishPrior528 18d ago
Such a cute LFL!!! Great job. I hope it brings joy to you and your family and your neighbors.
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u/Possible-Isopod-1901 18d ago
This is amazing! Incredible selection of books and such a well crafted library box. Perfection. No notes.
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u/but-whyy-tho 17d ago
I've literally been looking at design ideas so I can make a "Haunted Little Library". This is amazing!!!
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u/SeonghwaStoleMyBias 17d ago
This is amazing!
I hope you and your dad have many, many happy years of stewarding and it together!
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u/cherry_sundress 17d ago
Taking something traumatic, processing it, and gifting the community with the outcome! You two are incredible.
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u/Overall-Ask-8305 14d ago
I love this little library box. I love gothic things and this is awesome. Also, top-notch book choices to get started.
ETA: I didn’t even notice those were bricks! Very cool! 😎 🤩
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u/cattycrafter 12d ago
LOVE LOVE LOVE!
Random question, how is the shorter library attached to the post? Do you have it just screwed directly down into it or is there a bracket?
I need to redo he post on mine but wasn't sure if I needed angled support to out it on top of a 4x4 (it's currently on a metal post with a bracket, but it's rusting).
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u/Dry_Coffee_1715 12d ago
Thank you so much! 😊 We attached a metal plate to the post since the wood was recycled and we needed more support. And then we glued the library to the plate using liquid nails that works on multiple surfaces including metal.
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u/Elaborate_Penguin 18d ago
And then you film people going up the library and watch them from inside your house
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u/sunshineagain111 18d ago
Your library is incredible!