Our Little Free Library is open for reading. I am so excited!
Isn’t it beautiful?
Designed and built by Nick Timmermann
My friend Nick Timmermann crafted the library using reclaimed redwood decking, old fencing, scraps of old-growth redwood for the nobs and a plexiglass remnant for the doors. The craftsmanship is superb. Nick added a small light inside the library to illuminate it after dark. He wired it to our low-voltage landscape lighting and comes on at dusk. That was such a nice surprise and a clever addition.
I spotted my first Little Free Library early last year in nearby Campbell. It was love at first sight. I went back later in the day to take photos and to drop off a few books. Your can read the original post here. I also had a nice correspondence with Carmencita Valerio, the Campbell library steward.
What is a Little Free Library?
It’s a “take a book, return a book” gathering place where neighbors share their favorite literature and stories. In its most basic form, a Little Free Library is a box full of books where anyone may stop by and pick up a book (or two) and bring back another book to share. You can, too!
The Mission of the non-profit Little Free Library movement is:
To promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges worldwide.
To build a sense of community as we share skills, creativity and wisdom across generations
Nick installed the library in late December. I registered the library with Little Free Library.org and Saturday’s mail brought the official plaque and registration. Once I submit photos, I can register our library on the LFL map.
Finishing touches: adding the Take a Book, Return a Book charter sign
Involving the community is what Little Free Libraries are about. Shortly after the library went up, four books appeared. The following day there were more. Family and friends, neighbors and clients donated start-up books. Our boys added books of their own.
I hope the library remains stocked with books for all ages. We’re off to an excellent start.
Are you considering a Little Free Library in your neighborhood? You can learn more here.
To see additional work by Nick Timmermann you can follow his Facebook Page.
Special thanks to my start-up book donors:
Anonymous
Chris F.
Donna B.
Gen R.
Jasmin O.
Liane B.
Mac F.
Sharon M.
Dedicated to Debbie Hughes Judge and Carolyn Sullivan, life-long readers and teachers.
Gardening Nirvana 
I remember thinking what a wonderful, community-spirited idea this was when you first wrote about it and now you have followed through with your own Little Free Library. Amazing Alys – just lovely! You are spot on about the craftsmanship – oh! how I’d love to be able to make something like that with my bare hands and recycled materials. Nick is very talented. I’d get a huge thrill walking past and seeing books donated. It sounds as though you live in a very friendly community. Congratulations on such a fabulous achievement. xoxoxoxoxox
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Thanks so much, Dani. I’m just tickled that it all came together. I wish you could see it up close…or better yet, pop over. One day!
It’s exciting to read about these LFL’s spreading throughout the world, especially in places where books are scarce.
Nick is incredibly talented. He’s done carpentry work for some of my organizing clients as well. Everyone who sees this up close is amazed at the details. Like you, I too wish I had these skills.
But hey…we blog! Pat, pat, pat on the back.
Thanks for popping by.
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I love this, Alys! Books are special!
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Thank you, Kerrie! I’m pretty excited to have it up and running. I’m a life-long reader. I’ve always enjoyed sharing books.
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What a great concept, I’ve noticed a few grocery stores in our area doing the same, “take a book give a book” .
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Nice! It’s one of the best things to share. I like hearing all the ways people share books.
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It’s so nice to see your LFL finally up and running. Such a beautiful job by Nick as well. I remember you showed me the one in Campbell and what a wonderful idea I thought it was.
So great that you were able to follow through with one of your own! I like the idea of a library card inside each book as well. I’ve often suggested that to one of my friends with whom I exchange books. I can never remember who I lent them to last!
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Thanks, Sharon. It’s fun seeing people slow down to look. I hope it takes off, with lots of books passing through.
I’ll see about the library card, or at least a book plate. That would be fun.
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Oh, it is such a delight!! You did it! It was one of the first posts I read of yours where I really saw your heart – it was such a wonderful thing to find out about. I so wanted to make one here, but for various reasons I cannot, at this time, make it.happen… but, there is always the future! I shall follow all news of your LFL closely. Please do let us know how it goes. Happy Dance Alys xoxo Oh – and your wonderful community – treasure it!
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Really? Wow, that’s fun to know. And thank you so much for that, too.
It took awhile to pull the pieces together, but boy, has it been fun.
I hope your dream of building one happens for you one day too.
Happy Dance…I like that!
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I’m SO proud of you! I’ve always wanted to do this . . . and you actually DID! I can’t wait to hear the stories that come from it! You’re my hero! Hugs, Katherine
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Katherine, thank you so much! I’m having fun with this. It’s infused me with a lot of energy.
Hugs to you, too.
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I’m so happy for you and your community. I know you’ve been looking so forward to it and it’s turned out just amazing. I think lighting it is pretty awesome too. I wish shipping wasn’t so darn pricey, I have lot’s of great books that I would part with. I will at least try and sent 1 or 2 just because I want to be part of your lovely lovely project. Pretty exciting to have a plaque and everything 😀 Nick is a real talent. I popped over to his FB page too, liking the patio’s and sidewalks he’s done too. Did you design it for him to execute Alys or perhaps a collaboration? It reminds me of the shapes of homes in the swiss countryside. I think you’re going to meet and chat up all sorts of fun people 😀 better stock up on the doggy biscuits. xoK
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Thank you, Boomdee! Yesterday was such an exciting day. It started with our long talk and ended with so many wonderful comments (and Facebook shares) about the LFL.
Nick is incredibly talented. You’ll be able to see the closeup details on your next visit. Thanks for sharing some books, too, but please don’t spend the postage. You can tuck them in your bag with Alyster when you come.
I gave Nick some guidelines, but he came up with the design. We discussed using all recycled materials, and he was faithful to the plan. I had the location picked out and the general size and that was it. The credit goes to Nick.
And yes…time to stock up on doggy biscuits! 🙂
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Alys- this is so wonderful and what amazing craftsmanship. You never cease to amaze me my friend. Books, as you know are so special to me, and reading has such a special place in my heart. My Aunt Vicki would of loved this! Love & hugs to you! Miss you!!! -kristi
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Hugs to you and thank you for your amazing donation. I’ll let you know when the books arrive.
Your Aunt Vicki would have loved that and she would have built one herself. Thanks for honoring her with your gift. I will share more details in a future blog.
I miss you, too!
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I’m tickled pink for you. I love the idea of the little library. Maybe one day. It’s so lovely. Looking forward to hearing more about the results. What a beautiful use of reclaimed wood. 🙂
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Marlene, isn’t it though? I’m just amazed at the details and the workmanship. I wish I had those skills.
I know how you love books. I’m sure you’ll find a way to get involved with one of these LFLs one day when the timing is right.
Hugs.
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This is just great! I’ve never heard of such a thing! It’s beautiful, too. I’d totally donate books to you if you still need some!
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Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I’m delighted to take any books you want to donate. I hope the library gets lots of future traffic. Stay tuned.
Thanks, so for sharing this with your friends on Facebook. So nice of you!
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I have seen these little libraries once before, but not anywhere in my area, but on another blog. There’s was a little red phone booth turned into a little library! Nick is truly talented (and handsome too) and I wish I had his talents to build beautiful things too! I love it how everyone started to donate books to the library already! That is truly awesome and interesting to see the books that appear. Please take some photographs of the books too for another post! P.S. – I have been dying to ask you where you got that cute necklace in your header? I want one!
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I’m sure you’ll be seeing one in your neighborhood in no time. They are spreading like wildfire. So exciting to see this movement gorw.
Yes, Nick is a great talent.
I will take better pictures of the books and will be writing more posts on the library as well.
As for the cute necklace, that was a gift from Boomdee. She bought it in Canada and gave it to me on her visit here in October. It’s two peas in a pod…isn’t that the cutest? I love it! Thanks for asking.
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Oooh, I will have to check with Boomie on where she got that necklace! From what I heard, you and her are two peas in a pod! As a gardener, that would be such a fun necklace to wear! I can’t wait to see if the little libraries show up here. That is such a good idea, but I am sure that some idiot will do something to it or leave something bad in the library. I hope not though. I would visit the library frequently if we had one!
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Such a wonderful idea – may your library be stacked with books for years to come!
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Awww. Thanks for the sentiments, Eleenie. I hope so too.
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I too have seen these little libraries and marvelled at them. I love that you just up and did it, and I can’t wait to read more about how successful it is, because of course it will be 🙂 Congrats to you and your community of book lovers!!
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Thank you for the accolades and for your vote of confidence. I’m pretty excited. I didn’t check today to see if anyone picked up a book. That will be truly exciting. So jazzed about this.
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Yay!!! The library!! I’m so happy for you folks, looks like such a fun place to ‘hang out’ at. Actually, I thought it was a giant bird feeder until I read the blogpost, LOL. And, your carpenter friend is certainly easy on the eyes! 😉 Read on, my friends, read on.
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It does have a large bird feeder vibe, and given my love of birds, I could see why you might think that. Some of the younger kids in the neighborhood thought it was a bird house. I love it!
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Awesome! Beautiful design – your library is fantastic!
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Thank you, Sheryl. I’m pretty excited.
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Well the whole thing, idea and carpentry is absolutely precious! Kudos!
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Thank you! Nick did a beautiful job with the construction. The community is really responding, too.
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