I’ve wanted to have a Little Free Library for a long time. The idea is to be a steward of your very own miniature library. People can take a book and return it, or take a book and share one they are finished with. It’s such a fun idea for a bibliophile like me!
When I saw this cute school themed storage bench at Idaho Youth Ranch thrift store in September 2021, I had to buy it. I bought it even though we were living in our travel trailer at the time, and we had no space for it. I just kept it in the trunk of the jeep until we moved into our house. After months of sitting in the garage, the warmer weather has called the library bench out of storage. It’s time to get this thing going! For now, I’ve decided not to officially register with Little Free Library, because I can think of other things I’d rather spend the $39.95 on (i.e., more books).
My friend GB just sent us some plastic letter stencils, and they worked perfectly for making the storage bench into our mobile sharing library. It just needed some signage.
I used oil based paint pens to fill in all the letters, then sprayed on clear lacquer to seal it.
I posted an announcement for our sharing library with the homeschool co-op that we recently joined. We’ll bring it once/week for the co-op members to use. When co-op is done for the school year, I’ll send out a group text announcement to the neighborhood moms and we’ll put the sharing library in front of our house for the neighborhood to use during the summer. I hope it works out well. 🤞
📚 Do you have a little free library or sharing library near you?
Update 8/27/22: I’ve given up the sharing library due to people using it as a trash can. Very unfortunate, but cleaning garbage out of it was not what I had in mind! It only takes one bad apple to spoil the bunch.
heavens to betty 
I love the free little libraries. I did not realize it cost $39.95 to register it on the site! We do have two “sharing libraries” in our neighborhood. And we use them. I’ve always wanted one, too. But I want it to look like a house. That’s beyond our skills set and also beyond how much we want to pay to buy one. Maybe someday. Plus I have noticed the quality of what is offered is varied – and likely largely depends on someone monitoring it. I do enjoy the book exchanges that are sometimes found at campgrounds. Your little bench is very cute, and you did a nice job on it. Good luck!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! The ones that look like houses are so cute! Likewise, they are beyond our skill set and how much we want to pay. 😉
I too, enjoy the book exchanges found at some RV parks and campgrounds. I always try and leave something. I was taught to “leave things better than you found them” and it stuck!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is a good lesson to have learned. I believe in that, too! I need to be better organized and bring some books along to give away while on our travels.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awe… this is really cute. This idea is so clever and generous.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love it! There is a lending library at the park across from our old apartment, and one at the preschool across from church. There’s one at the park closest to my in-laws. There’s also one in front of my grandmothers old house…but I haven’t seen a little lending library where we live now. They are a fun and cute idea and yours looks adorable!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The park just down the road has a free little library. I think these are a wonderful idea and I’m always excited to find them at campgrounds and other locations when we travel. Yours is adorable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Go, go, go, homeschooling mama! This is a great idea. Wishing you and others lots of fantastic reads through this lending library. Fantastic job with the stencils.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the idea!
LikeLiked by 1 person