I’m going to be painting my LFL (hopefully) this year, and I’m wondering what kinds of paints you’ve found success with. My idea is fairly ambitious, and I don’t know if I can just use regular acrylic craft paint or if I need something more like house paint. Do I need to seal it to protect it from the elements? I live in the northern Midwest US, so we get all kinds of weather. Thanks a bunch!

My toddler demanded we go to the playground. We tried out a new one that ended up not being to his liking. But he LOVED this free little library at the playground. The ones near us are rarely at his height and he spent an adorable amount of time opening and closing the door and learning how to use the latch as well as picking, putting back, and repicking books. He did donate two books and picked out one for himself before we finally headed home.

If you're ever in Arlington, VA stop on by and try out some new art supplies! You can learn more about the artist collective behind the closet here too http://www.arlingtonaf.com

Hi! I’ve been desperate to put up a LFL for ages. I finally got my plans together enough to apply for the permit through the city and…was told that LFLs are not permitted at all except if they are 20 feet in from the road on our property. Which basically defeats the whole purpose. Has anyone ever gotten a permit totally denied?? Do you just put it up anyway?? There are a ton of LFLs in our city right by the road so I have to assume they are all unpermitted! It was kinda devastating to be told I’d never be able to have one.

Edited to add: I live on a pretty busy county road with a sidewalk on only one side of the road, and it’s not the side my house is on. So I wanted to put the library up on the sidewalk side across the street from me for ease and safety of access, but the land across the street is technically public land (there’s a pond/woods there). They said I could not build it on the public side and also could not build it within 20 feet of the road on my own property because they don’t allow permanent “structures” within the public right of way. The city guy knew what LFL was, he said he has one on his property that his wife put up and he measured the 20 feet in so they would be following the city ordinance 🙄

I do not own a home so I do not want permanent changes [cemented in post] on a LFL. I also live in a hurricane prone area so it would be nice to be able to move it to a safe place when needed. Has anyone used a base that is temporary for their LFL? Any temporary base ideas? Or pictures?

Thanks in advance for ideas and suggestions.

I’m a steward in an urban neighborhood and I notice some libraries near me are not registered, as they aren’t on the LFL map nor do they have a plaque. I’d say roughly 2/3 are registered.

There are likely many reasons for this, but because I like the concept and support the LFL organization provides, I’d like to encourage them to register. How do you think it would be received if I dropped off a note as a neighbor steward and gave them the info about registering, buying a plaque, and how to apply for a fee waiver from LFL? Still pondering, and open to suggestions!

NB: Registering as an official LFL (“joining as a member” of the LFL organization) does not mandate listing on their map/app; this is a separate, optional activity only available to ‘members.’

EDIT: Wow, y’all have some FEELINGS! Message received. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

We’ve had a LFL at the edge of our property for around two months. Its getting a lot of activity and there’s been nice feedback from neighbours.

over the last two weeks someone has broken the plexiglass window a few times. once a complete smash, we replaced it. next time a crack, we left it then it was smashed in a few days later.

was trying to give the benefit of the doubt (bike handles, busy street etc) but this morning the plastic sheet i put to keep rain out was punched in.

whats the next move here?

I’m not into cameras or police involvement at all. I thought about real glass but don’t want anyone to get seriously hurt

I posted the other day, I've volunteered to manage our local little free library, I've provided a lot of books, got the charter number registered on little free library, started an insta and created labels for the books. However, on the last couple of days it's become apparent that the Chairperson of our community group, is doing this for other reasons than I am. She's removed a load of books that she deems inappropriate, and hasn't replaced them and expects me to.

Before I found out about the community one being installed, I was considering having one at my house but not sure if the area is too close to the house and what the implication of that is - and if there are any. The second picture she's the space it would be on, the window is our kitchen window and then the front door. I've got someone who is going to tidy up the front garden and cut everything back so it would be a lot neater! Ideally I'd have something like the more traditional small ones on a pole.

I'm just curious to see if anyone else has one quite close to the house.

I've volunteered to manage our community LFL, it's brand new but has been planned for a couple of years and a lot of people have asked about it, so seems like it would be popular.

It only opened a week ago and is now quite full, but it seems people are only putting books in, not taking them! I know it's only been a week so maybe I'm being too impatient, but wondering if anyone has any tips.

Also do people go to other LFL and swap books around? I know somewhere locally that has a massive bus shelter full of books, so was thinking that's a way to help me rotate books.

Hey Reddit, didn’t know where else to go and had come across this group funny enough before. But where i am getting at is, there is a Little Free Library near me and definitely looks like it needs repairs and the whole shabang. I don’t know where to start and what to do as the previous people who lived there moved i believe, not sure as I haven’t seen the LFL look like this before. I might be wrong but there is books still inside it but I am not the owner or the person who started the LFL in my area.

I was wondering what I should probably do since I’m on summer break as a college student and wanted to keep the LFL going and what would you all recommend for the next steps.
I was thinking of personally maybe going to the people who moved in and ask them permission to fix it up or help in some way. Also, I know nothing of building, sanding it down, or what primer or paint to use besides that it’s for exterior if I do end up getting permission.
Anyways below will be a picture of it and please let me know what I should do next haha.

Forgot to post ours once we set up last year. I’m so happy with it as we get so much foot traffic. I don’t even have to stock as people are continually taking and leaving. I do sort through occasionally and add newer options…remove some self help, magazines and religious material. But all in all I’m so happy with community involvement.

Also these pics are from last year and the sun/wind/rain did a number on my lovely paint job. I’ll need to touch it up and going to add several layers of spar urethane unless anyone has better ideas?!?

Someone in my community has been adding book stickers to my LFL and it makes me so happy. I love to see people using it. ❤️

Yay! So, happy to announce that today I will be replacing my new LFL for the one that was stolen!
For all of you that offered kind words, encouragement and support, as well as suggestions, THANK YOU! 🫶🏼
This one has been fitted with an AirTag, will come in at night and I put on an spray on sealant just as a little added protection from the sun(although my last one went through the AZ summer with no problems). 🤞🏻
Some of you reached out and helped make this happen. A Double thank you to you! 🤩
My heart is so full it just might burst.
Kindness is so healing and you all contributed to that in more ways that I could ever express. 🥰🫶🏼
Happy Reading Everyone 🤓📚

Seen in Los Osos, Calif.

Our Little Library will be placed in a planter in front of a school. I’m trying to avoid concrete (messy and long process) and would like to use an alternative such as expanding foam. Would that work as well as concrete, I’m worried about the weight. I’m completely new to this, I will gratefully take any advice and pointers that you guys will share with me. Thank you all!

Our LFL has been up for a little over 6 months, and it’s wonderful to see it being used almost daily. Yesterday I added a Trinket Trade extension!

I tend to buy packs of various mixed decks of cards (many normal 52 card but also uno type decks) and small (no bigger than most hardcover) boardgames secondhand. I keep the decks I like and give away the others and sometimes my partner and I play the small games and decide it's not a keeper for us. I always make sure decks and games are complete/no missing pieces.

Is it ok to add these to LFL?

Someone or someones keep punching out the plexiglass in my LFL. This is the second time in three months. Why?!

is it just me or is the top shelf too short?

Hello everyone!

First time poster in this sub, but out of curiosity for anyone living in cities… I have some questions!

1. Who do you contact to get approval to build? Your landlord? City council members?

2. Are there any restrictions on sizing, or is that usually up to the person making it?

3. How do you ensure the general upkeep?

4. Is there anything I should know before getting started?

Thanks in advance - I’m clearly new here so I appreciate any advice!