Thinking Outside the Box

Today’s libraries are facing many challenges of either shrinking budgets, trying to keep up with the latest technology, and meeting the demands of the public and government. Imagine living in a small community where you have no local library, or the local library is limited in resources (staffing issues, hours of operation, and purchasing books), and not everyone has access or the means to the latest technology to download books on Kobo, Kindle or any of the other tablets.  For those of who live in large urban centers we automatically assume everyone is on the same playing field as us, but in reality they aren’t.  Currently, there is a small movement based in the United States that has created the “Little Free Library.” The concept of this little library is to “pay it forward.”

Here the community is encouraged to share your books with other people. There are boxes placed in yards, homes, hospitals, or community centers were anyone can take a book, and put another in its place. The boxes are bigger than a mailbox, and are creatively decorated by their owners. The Little Free Library is great for people who may find it difficult shopping in a bookstore due to the variety of choices, or they just don’t like shopping in the mega bookstores. There are people who do not have the funds to purchase books, or the means to travel to a nearby library. Not everyone is technology savvy, nor do they want the latest technology gadget. The little library is a great way to share your books on your topics with other people. Books can range children’s novels, help books, chicken soup for the…, or books on hobbies that you want to share with other people. 

For those who are interested here is the link to the site:

 http://www.littlefreelibrary.org/index.html