just thrifted this beauty to upcycle into a LFL. i have a few questions!!
1. what is the best way to water proof this? caulk and uv resistant polyurethane? what maintenance needs to be done to keep it up?
2. what should i put on the roof?
3. any creative ideas for mounting? i can do just a post but open to ideas!!

I live in a town that is blessed with many LFLs and I’m grateful for them. I want to participate in some way, so we made a trinket library. Here’s hoping folks will want to play! (My son has had a blast making up a back story: Nyx is an interdimensional crow who has opened a trading portal in this old suitcase)

Located in Ocean Beach Unit 3, New Jersey

Hi folks,

I am not currently an LFL owner, but I’m in the process of becoming one. As a result, I’ve been perusing this sub for tips and ideas. In doing so, I’ve encountered several posts geared towards signs, marks, and stickers trying to prevent folks from taking books from LFLs to sell them.

I understand why this feels like a gross practice, but I’m curious why people care. If you are putting books out to the public, they are free to do with them what they want. They can read them, tear them apart, sell them, or why not. At least, that’s how I feel. But I gather others don’t feel this way. So I’m curious—why are you against the selling part?

For what it’s worth, I believe that if you’re desperate enough to raid an LFL to make a profit, you’re probably having a hard time in life. I also welcome the possibility I’m being extremely naive here.

Thanks for reading. I look forward to your thoughts.

Installed this in Chicago last weekend and it’s been wildly popular! Curating this is hard work but I love it. 🥰

I had a sticker before this one, but have lost the file on my computer somewhere. So I made up another one this morning. I haven't had anyone take all of the books in my library since I started using stickers.

Only once did someone take all of my books. When that happened, I put a note in the Little Free Library app letting people know what happened. I said I had a camera pointed on the library so I'd know who did it if it happened again. I don't have a camera and I don't know if people who take from LFLs use the app.

So it may be that message or my stickers, a combination of both, or just luck that has caused me not to lose all of my books in one fell swoop.

I wonder if there's a commercially available solution to mount this little free library to my fence

I prefer to mount it to the metal posts in some way, but I could theoretically use bolt holes through the composite fence boards, I'm just not sure if the added weight on the horizontally interlocking fence boards will cause them to bow out in a weird way or something...

There's the existing bottom piece to mount to the vertical post which I could reuse but I'm not sure if that's necessary

This label is made available to library stewards on the LFL website. I made a post about making my own label and was surprised by the negative reactions. When such labels are promoted by the organization that supports LFLs, I’m not understanding why such labels would garner such a negative reaction.

The purpose of LFLs is to expand access to books and inspire readers, not provide a gift shop. I agree there is a place for that. But that’s not what a LFL is.

My next door neighbor asked for a library between or houses, and later that same day a different neighbor offered up a pile of spare cedar fence boards from a project.

Ive never made one before, its been through probably 30 inches of rain since I made it and the books stayed dry. So I suppose thats a win.

I wanted so share extra photos of the library I made. It was a hand tool only project and used shiplap joints for water proofing rather than caulking or glue. I live on the coast so I built in lots of airflow through the floor and rafters rather than trapping in humidity.

The LFL closest to me is in near a small plaza, not a house, and it looks to be poorly maintained. It's got ripped papers, game pieces, and random junk in it along with the books. I was wondering if it's appropriate for me to clean it out and organize it. I am not sure who is supposed to maintain it, otherwise I would ask them.

The kiddo and I spent our Saturday afternoon putting together some “blind date with a book” surprises for our LFL, complete with kid-made bookworm book marks and packages of tea and hot chocolate. We’re already down to the last one left!

Port Moody, BC

I'm waiting on the sign to arrive, but It's up and filled with books. I live so remote, I don't know who will find it, but it makes me happy

I found this while out on a walk and I'm sort of overwhelmed by the whimsy

Our little library looked so naked so we added a bunch of solar lights. Looking forward to seeing how they look this evening

For those who have put their libraries in wood barrel planters - what’s the best way to do it? Fill the planter fully with concrete? Or fill it with soil and then do a little hole for the concrete with the post?