Little Free Library

Our mission is to be a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Library book-sharing boxes. Today there are more than 150,000 registered Little Free libraries circulating millions of Free books, a phenomenon that continues to increase momentum. Little Free Library book-sharing boxes now stand in front yards, playgrounds, city parks, and more in all 50 us states and 120 countries worldwide, strengthening neighborhoods, spreading literacy, and bringing people together through the love of reading.

The impact Library program places book-sharing boxes in underserved communities, where they can be a catalyst for improving reading motivation and deepening community connections. Program funding comes from contributed revenue and from the organization's retail sales and Library registration fees. A monthly application review process and installation follow-up establishes a connection between Library recipients and the Little Free Library community. Program participants are asked to commit to setting up and maintaining the Library for a minimum of one year; taking a picture and sharing its story; and holding at least one reading or neighborhood activity in the first year. To date nearly 2,000 book-sharing boxes and 50,000 books have been granted through this program.through our indigenous Library program (formerly the native Library initiative), we grant no-cost Little Free Library boxes full of books to indigenous communities with limited book access. An advisory group was formed to assist in the development of the indigenous Library program. Their experience with Little Free Library, as stewards of book-sharing boxes, and commitment to serving indigenous peoples, have been invaluable in developing a culturally responsive and robust program. Similar to the impact Library program, a regular application review process and installation follow-up establishes a connection between Library recipients and the Little Free Library community. Program participants are asked to commit to setting up and maintaining the Library for a minimum of one year; taking a picture and sharing its story; and holding at least one reading or neighborhood activity in the first year. To date over 100 book-sharing boxes and 5,000 books have been granted through this program.

The core program includes growing the book-sharing movement; developing activities that stimulate neighborly connections; and supporting the network of volunteer stewards who provide the day-to-day management and curation of each Little Free library.steward services is our volunteer support program that provides resources across all lfl programs and beyond to ensure volunteer stewards have the tools they need to be successful. Steward services represents a variety of support services offered to registered stewards - this includes things like maintaining the world map, helping deal with vandalized libraries, managing the private facebook group, leveraging our relationships with publishers and book distributors to get deals and giveaways for stewards, etc. Steward services as a program is really a way to describe the infrastructure we have created and continue to develop as a way of providing support to our volunteer network.

Read in color brings diverse books to Little Free Library book-sharing boxes around the world. Read in color distributes books that provide perspectives on racism and social justice; celebrate bipoc, lgbtq+, and other marginalized voices; and incorporate experiences from all identities for all readers. When george floyd was murdered in minneapolis in 2020, we worked with our community to develop read in color to help create meaningful change. More than 8,000 diverse books and 25 Little Free libraries have been distributed in the twin cities to date. In 2021 and 2022, read in color has expanded nationwide to 14 additional cities with more on the way! In total, more than 200 Little Free libraries have been established in high-impact areas and 40,000 diverse books have been shared.