Little Free Library in the News

In Leawood, Kansas the fate of Little Free Libraries, a small library shaped box on stilts, rather than a repurposed newspaper box like the one in my photo will soon be determined. The library (hosted by a nine year old boy and his family) garnered some complaints by neighbors and is being scrutinized in relation to the city ordinance prohibiting structures in front yards. I think the ordinance was intended to prevent sheds and storage type buildings from being set up in front yards and the Collins family hopes the Leawood City Council will make an exception for the Little Free Libraries. There are 30 Little Fee Libraries in the Kansas City area, 15,000 registered Little Free Libraries in 62 countries, and one I sponsor in my town. The movement started on 2009 in Wisconsin and by Todd Bol as a tribute to his mother, a former schoolteacher who loved to read. I think it’s a great way to share a love for reading and get books into the hands of children. My confession here is that I have one more old newspaper box and need to finish repurposing it for use as a Little Free Library soon. I sure hope the Leawood City Council finds it in their hearts to make an exception for these because they are a great way to create a sense of community and support literacy.