Sunday, August 5, 2012

Little Libraries

Who says all libraries must be housed in an enormous building?

Maybe we shouldn't wait for people to come to libraries,
but bring libraries to people!

Here are a few libraries I've found interesting:



Architect John Locke, through his organization Department of Urban Betterment,
is repurposing phone booths in New York City into mini libraries.



This library in Bogota, Colombia is found in a city park.
It is part of the Paraderos Paralibros Paraparques (PPP),
a project begun more than ten years ago to promote literacy.


To celebrate the anniversary of their most popular bookshelf,
IKEA installed a one-day library on the beach in Sydney, Australia. 


Nashville, Tennessee opened up 
in 1962.

In Madrid, Bibliometro has created libraries in the subways.

Looks like lots of people enjoy libraries



Here's the 100 Story House,
described as "an interactive art project,"
a tiny lending library in Brooklyn.


And 
most interesting of all is
 the Biblioburro,
a mobile library in Colombia.



So, of course, I had to get in on the idea of a little library.
I don't know where I first heard of the Little Free Libraries,
but ever since our Houston Chronicle featured them in a story,
people have been handing me the article and telling me
it is something I should do.

Yesterday, with the help of mi marvilloso esposo,
we started work on my very own
Little Free Library.


I printed out the plans.


My husband started cutting out the pieces.

We still have more to do
until I can place this Little Free Library on a post
in front of my house,
but at least we've made a start!



BTW, a great book for children about all the different
sorts of libraries there are in the world is this one,
My Librarian is a Camel.



What is the Sunday SalonImagine some university library's vast reading room. It's filled with people--students and faculty and strangers who've wandered in. They're seated at great oaken desks, books piled all around them,and they're all feverishly reading and jotting notes in their leather-bound journals as they go.
Later they'll mill around the open dictionaries and compare their thoughts on the afternoon's literary intake....

That's what happens at the Sunday Salon, except it's all virtual. Every Sunday the bloggers participating in that week's Salon get together--at their separate desks, in their own particular time zones--and read. And blog about their reading. And comment on one another's blogs. Think of it as an informal, weekly, mini read-a-thon, an excuse to put aside one's earthly responsibilities and fall into a good book. Click here to join the Salon.





43 comments:

  1. I love biblioburro! How cool is that? Congratulations on making a start on your own little library, I'm so looking forward to seeing it come to life.

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    1. I always think about someday having a biblioburro of my own.

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  2. I love this post! I especially like the little library on the beach.

    My Sunday Salon post is here.

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    1. Yes, I don't recall seeing a patron like the one on the beach in my local library!

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  3. Wonderful photos! I love them all <3

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  4. What a wonderful idea to have a library in front of your house. I have got to try it. Love the post today.

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  5. Oh, I love all of these libraries, and how great to "repurpose" the phone booths. They're just empty places, like eyesores, reminders of a different time (and not in a good way!).

    Thanks for sharing...and good luck with your project.

    MY SUNDAY SALON POST

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  6. I love this post - and the fact that you're making your own free library! The last picture reminds me of the excellent book, The Camel Bookmobile. :)

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    1. Yes, that's a good book, too. I wonder if I have it in my school library....

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  7. Love the beach one!! What a great idea!!! Keep us posted on your project!!

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    1. If you can have a library on the beach, you can have a library anywhere.

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  8. Fabulous post - thanks! Wonder if NYC could copy the Bibliometro idea...

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    1. Wouldn't it be lovely to stop by a library before you get on the train?!

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  9. Our neighborhood is putting in a Little Free Library - I can't wait!

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  10. These are really inspiring ideas. They made me stop and think about all the times when i've complained about my local library never truly appreciating how fortunate I am to have such a facility nearby when for so many communities even a tiny library can make so much difference. Good luck with your projects - please keep us all posted on how it goes

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    1. I was fascinated with the story of the boy who made a windmill for his town in Africa. He learned everything he needed to know in a tiny library left by missionaries in his town!

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  11. Wow, that's so cool that you're starting your own little library! And those pictures are all so wonderful. Maybe if we put little libraries like that all around, it will remind people of reading or encourage them to pick up a book while they're waiting somewhere. All are awesome ideas! :)

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  12. I absolutely LOVE the Little Free Library idea! And it is so cute! There are a lot of great ideas here.

    Thanks for stopping by :)

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  13. Have you read the picture book WAITING FOR THE BIBLIOBURRO? -- so good!

    I recognize those Billy bookcases that Ikea installed :)

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    1. I wonder if I have that one in my school library? Need to check.

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  14. Those are all great, but I think my favorite is the Biblioburro - so cool!

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    1. Biblioburro is perfect in so many ways. I'm thinking it might be my post-retirement career!

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  15. I hope you have fun with your little free library. I'm so impressed that you're really doing it!

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    1. My husband is being a real trooper with this project. He measured and cut and sanded and primed and assembled. This week I hope to paint.

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  16. I have to say that this is probably the most unique posts I've read in a long time! :)

    Love me some libraries! And yours is and adorable. :)

    Shannon
    http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com

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  17. What a fantastic post! I love those photos and the inspiration behind them. I had seen the videos of the Colombian biblioburro before, but the others are all new to me. I am also impressed that you are making your own, definitely do a post of the process!

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  18. Hey Deb, I loved your post...one little thing though...Colombia, the country doesn't have any u's in it. I hate to point this out, but it is my country after all. Is the same as people keep calling me Caroline when my name is Carolina...
    Have a nice week

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    Replies
    1. (Red faced) I am so sorry. I hate spelling mistakes. I will go back and correct this right now!

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  19. What a fantastic post! If I lived in a house, I would have a Little Free Library too. Those things are so great to look at! I hope you share with us the finished results! Have a great week, Deb.

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  20. When my husband retires, I'm going to get him to build me a Little Free Library. I live on a cul-de-sac, not much traffic pedestrian or car, but I'll find a good place to put my little library. Yes, I will.

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  21. When my husband retires, I'm going to get him to build me a Little Free Library. I don't know where I'll put it because my cul-de-sac doesn't get much traffic, pedestrian or otherwise. However, I will find the perfect place. Yes, I will.

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  22. Love your post today! I am so inspired! I have never heard of the Little Free Library, but as soon as I'm settled somewhere (I am moving), this will be on the agenda! I can't wait to see YOUR's!

    Thanks for sharing!
    Suzanne
    Chick with Books

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  23. Love your post. It was fun, upbeat and reminded me that there are many in our world who value books and are willing to share their joy.

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  24. My cruise ship last year had a library (in fact, it could be the exact same one pictured here) and it was great! I checked out and read two books during the cruise. It was awesome.

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  25. Oh, how funny--I just finished a post about tiny libraries, then I was catching up on blog reading and here you are, making one! I can't wait to see the progress.

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  26. Hi!!!

    I love your posts and this one is one of my favorites! Your post has given me a very good idea and in the summer when I go to my country I will be making my own mobile library as well as many little free libraries dotted around the country! please support my campaign by looking at my blog and finding anyone else to help! Thank you for the fantastic posts.

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