For Visitors

Most people agree it is the Stewards who usually build and maintain the Libraries. it is the communities, the visitors who keep the Free Little Libraries going my donating and exchanging books.

Most Stewards want you to borrow a book or two, and if able return it when you're done, or replace it with another book. Some Little Free Library Fans make a point of borrowing from one library and return it to another, so the sharing of books continues.

Some Free Little Libraries have a theme, or are sponsored by an organization. I try to keep this in mind while donating books, for example I'm more likely to donate a children's book to a Free Little Library sponsored by a school.

Donations of books are usually gratefully accepted by Stewards. Most like a box of books left on the Steward's door step, others have a large overflow selection and are able to rotate books fairly often, and would prefer donations of only what visitors are able to fit in the box. I tend to donate more books to Little Free Libraries that look like they need more books. Most Free Little Libraries go through periods when they have few books and other times they have a large collection.

Once in a while people take either all the more sought after books, or even all the books from a Free Little Library, and try selling them to used book stores. Although you can't steel what is free, it is poor etiquette to take more than a couple of books, or re-sell any of them. Sometimes visitors will see the words "Always a gift, never for sale" on books to slow this selling of free books down. The idea behind Little Free Libraries is sharing books.

Many Stewards keep a guest book in the library. People say where they are from, leave thank you notes, sometimes making requests for books they are looking for, if they visit the library often. Keep in mind the Stewards are volunteers, and need a community to help them.

If you find any in the Burlington or Oakville please let me know vowelsoup@ hotmail.com, I'll be sure to visit. I also post "guest posts", this is when a Steward sends me a picture (or two) with a blurb about the Book Exchange or Free Little Library they maintain, i then use this for a blog post.

I share pictures on both my blog and Facebook page Little Free Libraries, and other Book Exchanges. These pictures are organized by city/ town, on Facebook to help visitors find them. I also have a Twitter Page Front Yard LFLs.

More Information:
Finding Free Little Libraries



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