“Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience; this is the ideal life.” – Mark Twain
If you’ve driven slowly through any of our area neighborhoods, you’ve probably spotted one or more of these little gems. The Little Free Library organization now has over 150,000 registered libraries worldwide with new libraries popping up frequently. Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization sharing more than 70 million books each year.
Why would I want to build a little free library?
“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” – Sir Richard Steele
With so much uncertainty in the world, especially when it comes to mental health, one thing is certain…the benefits of reading FAR outweigh any risk. Among many other things, reading improves brain function, helps alleviate stress, can improve your state of mind, and relaxes you. In addition, reading aloud to children helps stimulate their imagination, develop language and listening skills and foster good mental health.
As long as you see your eye doctor frequently, the only risk we can think of is that you may spend so much time reading that your home doesn’t get cleaned as often as it should, and you may be wearing the same outfit for the third day in a row. Who wouldn’t love this reward/risk ratio?
“Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.” – Mason Cooley
How can I build my own library?
Building a library can be as simple as ordering one from the organization or from other online sites. Or you can be as creative as you want and build your own. Using recycled items and supplies purchased from the hardware store, you can create a library that is purely unique.
The Little Free Library website has plenty of plans, blueprints, and tips. Other plans can be found on the internet as well. Look at other designs and see what you like and don’t like. Maybe you’ll want to design it to be a miniature version of your home. Maybe you want to design it with the memory of a passed relative in mind. Just make sure you keep it clean and inviting.
How do I register my library?
Once your library is built, be sure to register with the Little Free Library organization to become a steward. The cost is minimal and you’ll receive a special charter sign, your library will be included on the map and mobile app, and you’ll also receive exclusive services like inclusion in the book giveaways and the private Facebook group.
How can I stock my library?
Stocking your library is as easy as going through your own collection and finding books you’re ready to part with. If you’re sharing books you’ve already read and loved, include notes inside with your thoughts. Tell your friends and family that you’re starting a little free library and ask them for contributions. Check out garage sales and thrift stores like Goodwill & The Salvation Army. Don’t just look for novels you like…also include picture books, chapter books, mysteries, non-fiction, etc. to appeal to a wider audience.
If you’re a steward, take advantage of the book opportunities that make filling your library easy. You might also help other libraries stay stocked. Keep a supply of tomes in your car. When you pass a library that looks a little empty, hop out and add a few titles.
How can I find a library near me?
We’ve included a list of many of the chartered Little Free Libraries in our area here. If we’ve missed any on this list, please email us at info@fctuckeremge.com. For a complete map, click here! In reviewing the map, you’ll notice some great stories behind the creation of many of the libraries. If you want to have a map handy when you’re on the go, you’re in luck. There’s an app for that! Download the app from the Apple Store or Google Play.
Evansville, IN
- Marx Rd. Free Little Library – 7213 Marx Rd.
- Restored – 800 E. Riverside Dr.
- Fairlawn Powder Puff Kids’ Library – 2021 S. Alvord Blvd.
- Tribute to “Blank Panther”, McGary Middle School – 1535 S. Joyce Ave.
- Power Puff Little Free Library – 2013 S. Green River Rd.
- Ashley Evearitt – 1837 Glenmoor Rd.
- Lennon and Ayla Taylor – 807 Hoosier Ave.
- Dream Center Snooper Little Library – 16 West Morgan Ave.
- Washington Middle School – 1801 Washington Ave.
- Englewood Neighborhood Library – 616 S. Englewood Ave.
- Redeemers Giving Garden Library – 1800 Lincoln Ave.
- Susan Cooper – 651 S. Alvord Blvd.
- Buente Library – 605 S. Saint James Blvd.
- Villa Library – 636 S. Villa Dr.
- S. Lincoln Park Little Free Library – 502 S. Lincoln Park Dr.
- Spring Streets Littlest Library – 420 S. Spring St.
- Sycamore Place Library – 2907 E. Sycamore St.
- A Trace of Floral – 201 S. Dexter Ave.
- Fired Up! Little Free Library – 2121 N. Green River Rd.
- Redenbaugh Book Library – Bremmerton Dr.
- Sarah Brooks – 3400 N. Green River Rd.
- Kristin McCutchan – 7800 Old Petersburg Rd.
- Little Free Library – 428 Gish Dr.
- German Gems 4-H – 13301 Darmstadt Rd.
- Zoe Smith – 6225 Kratzville Rd.
- Pam McGinn – 4 Kirkwood Dr.
- Arcadian Literary Society – Audubon Dr. & Taylor Ave.
- Timberlake Little Free Library – 1330 Timberlake Rd.
- The Book Cottage – 2148 Championship Dr.
- Woodland Library – 13125 Woodland Lane
- Little Free Library At Poet Square – 15432 Haiku Rd.
Newburgh, IN
- Chris Leaf – 416 West Main St.
- A & K’s Sharing Library – 4433 Walnut Dr.
- Newburgh United Methodist Church – 4178 IN 261
- John Whyman – 7300 Sharon Rd.
- Colleen Martin – 5577 Victoria Ct.
- Jessica McCauley – 717 Adams St.
- Leena Rice – 2700 Park Dr.
Jasper, IN
- Dubois County Solid Waste District – 1103 S. 350 W.
- Howard Drive Little Free Library – 2520 Howard Dr.
- Girl Scout Troop 357 Silver Library Box – 1411 Bartley St.
- Adventure is just a page away – 1336 Main St.
Vincennes, IN
- WIN Energy REMC – 3981 S. U.S. Hwy. 41
- Nathan Klingler – 905 Nixon Sq.
- Nathan Klingler – 901 Church St.
- Nathan Klingler – 1003 N. 11th St.
- Nathan Klingler – 2204 Washington St.
- Nathan Klingler – 2300 N. 2nd St.
- Bruceville/McClure Library – 503 Main St.
- Janet Kitchin – 502 N. 7th St.
- Kimberly Nation – 1634 N. 13th St.
Other Southwest Indiana Libraries
- Alex’s Little Flower Library – 215 W. Locust St., Boonville
- Jenna’s LFL – 127 State St., Chandler
- OWPL – 8800 N. 550 E., Epson
- Tri-County YMCA – 131 E. 16th St., Ferdinand
- Carol Hudelson – 279 S. Larry Bird Blvd., French Lick
- Andrea Brown – 408 N. Meridian Rd., Holland
- Judy M. Edwards Memorial Library – Leopold Memorial Park, Leopold
- Two Shoes Havanese LFL – 434 S. Main St., Marengo
- St. John’s Episcopal Church – 602 Mulberry St., Mt. Vernon
- Amelia Wilderman – 3451 Harmonie State Park Rd., New Harmony
- Sophie Grace’s Little Library – 5150 Old Plank Rd. N, New Harmony
- Rick & Barbara Cummings – 855 W. County Road 775 N., Orleans
- Cara McTaggart – 207 W. Clark St., Owensville
- Karen Foster – 208 N. Gospel St., Paoli
- Quentin & Susie Peek Library – 719 N. 7th St., Rockport
- Robin Smedley, 407 N. Main St., Salem
- LFL Caboose – 333 7th St., Tell City
- Burkley McCarthy – 1614 West Walnut St., Washington
- Tag Library – 215 NE 10th St., Washington
- Janet Kitchen – Old Hwy. 50E & IN 550, Wheatland
Henderson, KY
- Elisabeth Carter – 10694 U.S. 41 ALT
- The Old Maple Tree – 425 3rd St.
- Mary Bullock – 920 Bend Gate Rd.
- Niagara School – 13043 Hwy. 136 E.
Owensboro, KY
- Lissa Alls – 7301 Hobbs Rd.
- Amanda Rogers – 199 W. Veterans Blvd.
- Starbucks – 2402 Frederica
- Books from Barb – 3323 Hummingbird Loop S.
- Jim Smithson – Wintergreen Loop N.
- Little Tamarack Library – 1733 Tamarack Rd.
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