Woo-hoo! I’ve been looking forward to this day since we moved into our house. We are the proud stewards of a Little Free Library. Purchased as a housewarming/Christmas gift to ourselves, our library has been stored in the coat closet since Thanksgiving. Yesterday, it was installed. (We waited until our landscaping was in progress, so that we could incorporate it into the front yard.)
Do you know about the Little Free Library? It’s all about the books…and in our case, the seeds. Seeds? Keep reading.
“Take a book, return a book”—that’s the Little Free Library motto.
The first Little Free Library was built in 2009 by Todd Bol of Hudson, Wisconsin. He built a one room schoolhouse design as a tribute to his mother who was a teacher. His idea caught on quickly. As of January 2014, over 15,000 Little Free Libraries have been built and installed across the world. What a great way to promote literacy and reading. Plus, they are so freakin’ cute.
There are several in our neighborhood. There can’t be too many—(another motto).
Now about the seeds. Ours is not only a book library, but a seed library. There is a drawer (see the picture below) that will serve as a seed and recipe exchange—a way to share vegetable and flower seeds with neighbors as well as favorite recipes. Neighbors can place seed packets to share or take seeds that have been donated. Our library came with 20 seed packages to start. There will be little plastic bags for dividing seeds, because who needs fifty spinach plants?
The library will be open for business soon. Maybe today. I’ll be putting a few books in it (some garden related, but not all), and seeds will go into the drawer when it’s a bit warmer. Neighbors are invited to participate, hint, hint…
I think a spring porch party might be a great way to officially kick off our Little Free Library and Seed Exchange. It will be a BYOB affair—Bring Your Own Book. Stay tuned and happy reading.
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
[tweetthis]Because I’m all about the books. And seeds! @LtlFreeLibrary #TakeABookLeaveABook #GrowSomething @WildflowerCtr [/tweetthis]
Click HERE for information on building your own Little Free Library.
“However many years she lived, Mary always felt that she should never forget that first morning when her garden began to grow.”- Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden
Musical Pairing:
All About Those Books – MDIHS Library
What a clever idea. This will be so much fun.
OOOooooh!!! I love this version!! I was considering building my own, but maybe a pre-made kit would be best. Thanks for the inspiration!! And I would (love to donate books to the cause!)
Love the seed and recipe exchange idea. Way to go!!
I am in awe of you and this idea. Please continue to post about this experience.
How exciting! I love the little Free Library design. I believe you will have great success with this clever idea. Please keep us posted.
I want one!
Email me your mailing address. I have a little surprise for you. I love your little library and I am so impressed with the group who created the video:) It’s a much better version of the tune:)
A great idea for the transplants garden club in jonesboro, Arkansas. Thanks
Well, you’ve definitely planted a few seeds with this great idea, Talya…I’ll have to let my avid reader wife in on this ingenious home-library concept…as always, you have some great ideas!!!
This is the most fantastic of ideas!
Love this idea! When I taught junior high English, I had a paperback library based on the same concept in my classroom. The kids really used it. But it wasn’t nearly as charming as your street side one.