You may have never heard of Ursula Oaks, but she’s a pioneer. She and her family are one of only a handful of East-Coast bibliophiles who have become stewards of a Little Free Library.
What’s a Little Free Library? Just as it sounds, it’s a small structure—a little bigger than a breadbox—that houses books which are free to borrow. Take a book, return a book, leave a book. Visit as often as you wish. And there’s never an overdue fine!
The brainchild of Todd Bol and Rick Brooks, the Little Free Library enterprise began in 2009 and flourished in the Wisconsin and Minnesota region. Intended to support literacy, social empowerment, youth and community development, the libraries sit on front lawns and places of business, encouraging neighbors and patrons to read…and share great literature.
A map on the LittleFreeLibrary.org website displays registered LFLs around the country. I was hoping to find one in New Jersey, but alas, none exist. (Don’t worry, my neighbor and I plan to change that soon.)
But I did find Ursula Oaks in Silver Spring, MD, living just three miles from my brother’s home. Originally I planned to visit her and the little library-on-stilts in her side yard, but since that didn’t work out, we chatted via email about her experience with being a Little Free Library “home librarian”.
TL: When and why did you decide to open a Little Free Library?
UO: I first heard about the LFL movement on an NPR program out of Wisconsin Public Radio called “Here On Earth: Radio Without Borders”, which is hosted by the amazing journalist Jean Feraca. She interviewed the founders, and the whole thing sounded so fun and meaningful that I went home that night and told my husband and son about it. They were both interested, too, so we started making plans. We thought the idea was a perfect melding of our shared love for building things, for libraries, and for books. Our son Liam loved the idea that we could select books from our own collection to share, and that we could host something in our yard that the whole community could take part in. My husband Craig was excited to have a new building project. And we all loved the creative aspect of designing and painting something totally unique. That was September of last year. It took us five months to actually get it completely finished, due to schedules, weather, travel, etc. The finished library finally went up in the yard on January 25 of this year.
TL: How did it get built and why did you choose the Madeline theme?
Craig is great with woodworking, so he built the structure, complete with copper run-off pipes, tin roof, and clear plexiglass front door. I sketched out the design based on the original Bemelmans drawings in one of our Madeline books, and everyone pitched in to paint, including 7-year-old Liam. Frankly we were surprised at how well it turned out, because none of us is particularly gifted with a paintbrush.
The story of how we ended up with the Madeline theme is a bit convoluted. We knew we wanted to do some kind of stylized approach to the house, so we thought about a barn or a farm house or bird house, and then at some point I suggested we try to come up with an idea that had some connection with a book we love—something that people would recognize and understand. Liam has always loved the Madeline stories, and we had recently returned from a visit to Paris for Thanksgiving, so the idea came to us pretty quickly once we went down that path, especially because while we were in Paris we passed an enormous house that looked incredibly similar to the Madeline house.
We decided to let Liam have free rein with the back of the house, but he needed help because he insisted on including an Eiffel Tower. He did the trees and the bird and the flag on the top of the tower.
TL: How does the Little Free Library work? Can people take any book they want? Do they have to return them? Can anyone add to the collection?
UO: The motto of the LFL movement is “take a book, leave a book”, but there’s no check-out/check-in system, and anyone is welcome to take a book. It’s been amazing to see how well this works, totally organically. Some people take and leave books, some just take, some just leave. I put a small notebook and pen inside inviting comments, and we have had many, all of them very positive. Many of them mention what a nice addition it is to the community, and many comment on the attractiveness of the structure itself. It seems to invite people to stop and linger. All of the books we originally stocked it with have been taken, replaced by an equal number of books from many other people.
TL: Can you share some of the comments you’ve received?
UO: “This is beautiful and a treasure! Can we donate books to the cause?”
“We love it! My daughter has exchanged books three times already! Thank you!”
“Add a toilet.” (from a child)
“Gorgeous! Where did you get the cabinet?”
“We love your library!”
“Such a nice little library! It makes us happy just seeing it!”
“Amazing. Makes the world a better place.”
“I love this library.”
“So fun to trade books.”
“What a very sweet and thoughtful addition to our neighborhood. I will have to leave you a treat in return for your great idea.”
“The idea is so amazing. I want to make one when I grow up!!!”
“Thank you so much. We love the house, especially the rain gutters.”
TL: Have any of your neighbors expressed interest in starting their own Little Free Library?
UO: Yes, one person expressed interest. I think people have discovered ours after reading the recent USA Today article about how others have gone about establishing theirs.
TL: What has been the best part of owning a Little Free Library?
UO: The best part of it is seeing it every day and feeling like it is adding a bit of community-building and joy to our neighborhood.
I am always amazed at how it continues to enrich our lives. Let me share with you an interesting anecdote. Craig was getting ready to go to work and walked out to find an enormous FedEx truck in the street. He figured someone had ordered some furniture or something, but then he saw the FedEx guy looking at our Little Free Library. He said “hi” to him and the guy said he had seen a story about LFL on TV and had looked on the web site to see where there might be one in his area (he lives in northern Maryland). He realized there is only one in the state (ours) and said he finally had a chance to come down and check it out! I just thought that was pretty sweet.
Thank you, Ursula and the Oaks Family! I wish you many happy years of home librarianship! Who knows…maybe the FedEx guy will deliver an endless supply of books!
So blog readers, how about you? Are you eager to set up your own Little Free Library? Let us know in the comments. And visit LittleFreeLibrary.org to get started!
39 comments
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March 26, 2012 at 2:02 am
theotherwatson
What a nice idea! I like it! 🙂
March 26, 2012 at 2:07 am
Linda Lodding
I love this idea and hope to one day be able to build and implement a LFL in my neighborhood. And the Madeline theme is perfect!
March 26, 2012 at 5:28 am
Susanna Leonard Hill
I love this idea! I would love to try it, but we don’t live in a good place for it – houses very far apart, way off the beaten track… Still, it would be such fun I might try it at some point anyway 🙂
March 26, 2012 at 5:45 am
diane kress hower
This is very cool. I just started talking about children’s books on our local NBC affiliate and was wondering what to do with the copies authors send me! Thanks, Tara
March 26, 2012 at 6:11 am
Lynn
Tara, I love this story! I wonder if I could ever manage to do this near one of my ‘homes’ here in Canada. Would be a very interesting thing to try, as if I need something else to do. 🙂
It is such a test of one’s trust, my fear is that all the books would be stolen or damaged and not replaced.
How many books should a person begin with? I’ll check out the website.
March 26, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Ursula Oaks
We first stocked ours with about 20 books, which left a bit of room for others to add to the collection. I had some initial worry myself, that it might be vandalized or that someone would put inappropriate material in it, but no such problems have arisen. I also wondered if the balance of taking and leaving would happen on its own, and it has!
March 26, 2012 at 6:19 pm
Lynn A. Davidson
Thank you, Ursula, for the encouragement. I was talking with my sister about it and we might just give this a try. It’s a great time of year to get started, too.
March 26, 2012 at 6:38 am
Penny Klostermann
This is a great story. It gave a real sense of sharing and of trust. I’m so glad it’s working out well.
March 26, 2012 at 6:40 am
lindamartinandersen
Tara,
You have me thinking. I had heard of this before but I’d forgotten it. Maybe this is a good way to get my state recognized on the map. HMMMM….
Linda A.
March 26, 2012 at 6:42 am
lindamartinandersen
Tara,
Fun read! You’ve got me thinking. HMMM…If I do this, it would mark my state on the map.
Linda
March 26, 2012 at 6:48 am
Wendy Greenley
Love the story, love the idea! I’m not an NPR listener, so it was all new to me.
I’m guessing our homeowner’s association won’t allow it (they have to approve any outdoor changes), but hey, I’m a writer which means I’m used to rejection, so I can ask.
Thanks, Tara and Ursula!
March 26, 2012 at 9:19 am
Brigid
good attitude Wendy.
March 26, 2012 at 6:54 am
Tabatha
Really enjoyed this post! Thanks!
March 26, 2012 at 7:06 am
orthodoxmom3
What a wonderful idea. Thank you for sharing.
March 26, 2012 at 7:59 am
Beverly Lyle Patt
OMG.
I’m starting one.
March 26, 2012 at 8:01 am
Cathy Ballou Mealey
Isn’t this such a great idea?
When I build mine, I’m going to add bookplates that borrowers and lenders can use to write their names, their reviews, or their recommendations for similar titles. Why not start a conversation inside a book?
March 26, 2012 at 9:20 am
Brigid
oh man you are inspiring me. a conversation in a book
March 26, 2012 at 1:35 pm
Tara Lazar
Great idea!
March 26, 2012 at 8:28 am
Nancy Furstinger (@AnimalAuthor)
Absolutely fantastic–what a grand way to encourage reading and sharing for kids of all ages. I love the idea of bookplates to encourage feedback.
March 26, 2012 at 8:31 am
Kirsten Larson
What a cool way to use books and reading to create community. I’m thinking the free library might need free coffee where folks can leave a quarter. It would be cool if a local coffee shop jumped in too.
March 26, 2012 at 8:53 am
annastan
My goodness, what a great idea! And I love that the little libraries are adorable. If I didn’t have such fantastic local libraries, I would definitely do this!
March 26, 2012 at 9:02 am
slpstanley
what a fun idea~ i’ve never heard of it, but it seems perfect! our bookmobile had to stop due to lack of public money so what a fun way to replace it!
March 26, 2012 at 9:02 am
Ishta Mercurio
YEAH! I love this idea – and I do plan to set up a Little Free Library in my own front yard!
I love the way such a simple thing can encourage community, share the love of reading, and beautify a neighbourhood, all at once. I want to find the founders of this movement and hug them.
March 27, 2012 at 7:27 am
Rick Brooks
Boy, could we use that sometime! 🙂 –Rick
P.S. Thanks, everybody for this terrific story and comments.
March 26, 2012 at 9:21 am
Brigid
I’m in .
March 26, 2012 at 9:57 am
katiemillsgiorgio
Thanks for sharing this Tara. I have been obsessed with Little Free Libraries for a while! They are starting to really catch on here in Iowa. A dear friend and I are planning for several in the Cedar Rapids/Marion area. Can’t wait!
March 26, 2012 at 1:34 pm
Tara Lazar
Nice, Katie! I’d love to see photos when you’re up and running!
March 26, 2012 at 11:06 am
hollyruppel
Hi, Tara! I’m a new reader and I love your blog. This is such a cool idea! 🙂
March 26, 2012 at 1:33 pm
Tara Lazar
Hi Holly and welcome! Thanks for visiting. I am glad you think it’s a cool idea. Obviously I love it, too!
March 26, 2012 at 12:40 pm
clarbojahn
What a wonderful idea! Yes and yes! I want to start one here in our front yard by the mail boxes. I love how it connects the neighborhood and makes it a community. I have already shared this idea with my husband who likes it, too.
Thanks so much for sharing this with us. 🙂
March 26, 2012 at 1:53 pm
Jarm Del Boccio
What a fabulous idea, Tara…thanks for making us aware of it! I’ve bookmarked the website…
March 26, 2012 at 2:38 pm
Cathy C. Hall
Oh, my goodness–I just checked and there’s one about 30 minutes from me! Actually, there are two in Georgia–the other in a small town I don’t know. But I may have to do a road trip, just to give it a look see.
We have LOTS of great parks where I live–whole families hang out for hours. I can see LFL in parks being a great connection. Wouldn’t that be a perfect Scout project?
March 26, 2012 at 11:52 pm
viviankirkfield
Thanks, Tara…what an amazing post! Congrats to everyone who has already started a LFL!
I love Cathy Hall’s idea of making it a Scout project…and parents can Google their state and find out if any exist…what a wonderful little road-trip that would make…encouraging young kids to donate some of the books they’ve outgrown (does anyone ever outgrow a book…not me).
March 27, 2012 at 7:29 am
Rick Brooks
This is about the coolest, most fun, most interesting blog post and comments we’ve seen. Tara, you have quite a following and we see why!
March 27, 2012 at 7:32 am
Tara Lazar
Thanks so much for visiting, Rick! I have an architect neighbor who was really taken with your LFL idea. He and I are designing are own! Thanks so much for starting something so meaningful to so many people.
March 27, 2012 at 12:11 pm
Véronique
Wonderful addition to this great story! And you are inspiring the West coast to join in.
March 27, 2012 at 2:40 pm
valerierlawson
such a great story. thanks for bringing it to us all, tara.
March 28, 2012 at 4:10 pm
Janet
I think it is a great idea! I have so many books and I’ve always thought it would be great to have a little library. This just might be the way to do it. My son is quite the handyman. thanks for the info.
March 30, 2012 at 12:16 pm
Angela De Groot
That is so cool!