Warm temperatures and a cool breeze were a welcome gift Saturday during the Little Free Library dedication.
The idea for little libraries started in Wisconsin in 2009
Todd Bol built a model of a one-room schoolhouse as a tribute to his mother, a former school teacher who loved reading. He filled it with books and put it in his front yard. His neighbors and friends loved it, so he built several more and gave them away. Each one had a sign that said FREE BOOKS.
Little Free library.org is now a non-profit as well as a movement, spreading the love of reading around the world.
I dedicated The El Codo Way Little Free Library, to two of our local teachers, Debbie Hughes Judge and Carolyn Sullivan. Carolyn and Debbie (now retired) are highly regarded 2nd grade teachers at Bagby Elementary School. They were instrumental in supporting the Books at Home program at Bagby that encouraged disadvantaged youth to read at home over the summer. They’ve both been a tremendous personal support to me as well.
Here are a few highlights of the day:
We served cookies and water on the lawn and deck. Attendees took home a bookmark made from a unique collection of Pixar Animation postcards. No two were alike.
Postcard bookmarks
Additional thanks to Candace Levers for donating Vision Literacy bookmarks to the LFL. You can read more about their mission at VisionLiteracy.org.
There has been such an outpouring of support for our library. It’s easy to see why they’ve caught on around the globe.
Gardening Nirvana 
I just so wanted to be able to hear everything that was being said – and to chat with the attendees and rifle through the boxes of books lining your path………. What a lovely event, you looked so calm and serene and confident giving your talk and everyone listening closely too.
I can clearly see you are going to need a bigger library building – you may have to move out of your house in order to accommodate all the books and visitors that want to come by 🙂
Thank you for sharing a little bit of your day so quickly. Whilst you may have been exhausted by the end of it, I hope you were also very pleased, proud and happy too! 🙂 So inspiring!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Pauline, for your always-encouraging and interested support. It would have been lovely to have you here.
The library once seemed like a good size, but it filled quickly and continues to fill quickly. I’ve cleared some space in our garage to store extra books. I’ve also delivered a few to other LFL’s in the area if I find a certain type of books sits for a long time.
With the price of real estate around here, I’m afraid we’ll be staying put in the larger house, at least for now. 🙂 You crack me up!
There was time to talk with everyone, and that was a lot of fun. I loved seeing people browse and take books and it was nice that friends brought books as well.
I’m pleased that it went well, that the weather was so much more pleasant than it had been earlier in the week, and I’m also relieved its over (the public speaking part).
xox
LikeLike
I loved the video!!! It was almost like being there though I wanted to slow parts down. I’ll try it again to see if I can. That was so exciting. I have some children’s books I want to send you…but I want to read them first. I missed so much as I child that I have to catch up. Let me know if you run low and I’ll read faster. 🙂 I knew the weather would be kind to you. I could tell you stories about it. Hmmmm. Hugs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Marlene. The pacing is set by the music you choose…and I didn’t want to bore anyone. I’m really glad you liked it.
I’m delighted to receive any and all books, but please savor and enjoy them for as long as you like. We have so many children on this block, that I’m seeing book turnover every week. It’s been great.
Thanks for cheering me on and for all your support. xox
LikeLike
My pleasure. I’m getting such a kick out of seeing it all. I should be packing. Hugs, m
LikeLiked by 1 person
Packing? I like the sound of that. 🙂
LikeLike
I loved this! The whole idea of the LFLs is so wonderful, isn’t it? Thanks for sharing the gorgeous pictures and a bit of your talk. I hit pause in a few places so I could read more. Nice to see Boomdee’s contribution, too. 🙂
I agree with Pauline; an easy solution would be to treat the garage as a Tiny Home, move in there and then you’d have plenty of room for the books . . . there’s no such thing as too many books . . . 🙂 Congratulations!! (and a heartfelt Thank You for promoting reading in such a lovely fashion). ~ Linne
LikeLike
Thank you, Linne! It is a wonderful idea that has really caught on. I’m delighted to hear that they are spreading to developing countries where books are cost prohibitive. That makes me smile.
I’m trying to picture my family of four, plus four cats, squeezed into that tiny box. I’m just not feeling it…;-)
LikeLike
What a riot ! That was such a fun video! I noticed too, it was a *book*, that was clever 😀 I also love how the page turning was sync’d with the dramatic music. I had to watch 3 times because I didn’t want to miss anything. You sure managed to collect a good number of new books, are you tempted to read many of them too? If only you could set aside a whole week of just enjoying a couple of novels. Gee, you’ll never have to ever buy another book. Of course I saw Sharon and her o-so-cute ponytail 😀 I’ve looked for one too and can never find one in my hair colour. You’re so darn adorable to include the Dr Seuss quote at the end xoxox thank you hon, you’re always generous and thoughtful.
I’m just thrilled for you. Plus you’ve done it all with great style too. The LPL house in itself is a gorgeous little thing. My gosh, he’s a talent. You and your family have made it a success Alys. You loved an idea, adopted it, planned and executed all will great heart and spirit. I hope your absent guests will know what a nice event they missed when the see it in your community news and know they’ve missed something really special. Thanks so much for the video, it’s the next best thing to being there. xoxoxox You are a wonder, a good neighbour, a giving heart! You are loved ❤
LikeLike
Thank you, Boomdee! You never miss a thing. 🙂
I never run out of reading material, but it’s nice to know that if I do, I can simply head to the curb.
Sharon does look cute in her ponytail. She has the perfect hair color for finding a match. I’ve never been successful either. She always looks adorable.
Thank you for your kind, supportive and loving words. I feel that love, and send it right back to you. Thank you for all your support. xoxooxoxox
LikeLike
Congratulations! I have another friend who started one of these, too, and it creates a special kind of community, doesn’t it?
I was thinking of the dedication and am so glad you shared the video … and the video was so cleverly done! Loved everything about it!
Have you heard of Geocaching Books? You probably have but if not, the link follows. It’s another way to connect people through books. http://geocachebooks.com/
LikeLike
It does create community, LB. I’m sure that it part of their success. I hope you’ll take photos of your friends library one day. I would love to see it.
Thanks for your nice words about the video, and for holding good thoughts for me as well.
I’ve heard of Geocaching, but not Ceocaching books. Dare I click on that thoughtfully provided link???
Here goes! Smooches.
LikeLike
This is very inspiring Alys. You should be very proud! if I wasn’t already annoyed at people turning around in my lane way all the time i would put one out there. hahah!
LikeLike
Oh that is too bad. We live close to the end of the street which ‘T’s into another one. We get lots of foot traffic, but not too many cars.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Anne Lawson and commented:
I have been following Alys’s blog, Gardening Nirvana, for a while. In every post she comes through as a thoughtful woman, one who cares about the world in which she lives. Over the last few months she has been telling us about her Little Free Library — the one she built right on her nature strip. (To be truthful, Nick built it, but Alys was the driving force.) Her inspiration came from……well, read her post about the Dedication and find out for yourself. It is a wonderful idea that deserves to be shared, just like the joy of reading deserves to be shared too. Thank you Alys, and all the others who have Little Free Libraries.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anne, thanks so much for sharing this and for spreading the word. Thank you, too, for your kind words. xox
LikeLike
I think the thanks have to go to you first!
LikeLike
Awww!
LikeLike
Anne, thanks so much for sharing this and for spreading the word. Thank you, too, for your kind words. xox
LikeLike
The Little Free Library dedication was such a treat to watch….all the time thinking about how much I loved the whole idea….And then fast forward to May 21st, our dear Robert’s birthday, when I took a wrong turn (which ended up being a right turn), and found myself driving past a LFL on Walnut, near your old house! I had no idea that we had a LFL a short walk (and a wrong turn) from our house! We stopped by on the way home, leaving three books and picking out a Hardy Boys mystery for Robert. I thought about you the whole time, Alys!
LikeLike
Mary Elizabeth, that is exciting to hear, and on Robert’s birthday no less. Wow! They’re spreading like wildfire aren’t they? I’m delighted you found one so close to home. Serendipity!
LikeLike
Pingback: Look what the postie left for me yesterday! | Anne Lawson
Pingback: Hanging Out For Spring | The Contented Crafter
Pingback: Getting My Groove Back | Gardening Nirvana
Pingback: The Greening of the Little Free Library – Gardening Nirvana