Start Your Own Little Library

2013 - Volume #37, Issue #6, Page #22

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Anybody can build a mini library, says Cal Moe, and you’ll likely get to know your neighbors better because of it.
  Last winter, the Nevis, Minn., resident built the 5,162nd neighborhood library for Little Free Library, a volunteer-run, grassroots organization started in Wisconsin that now has registered “libraries” throughout the world.
  Moe’s 12 by 20 in. log cabin style library holds just a few books that people in the neighborhood can borrow or add their own books to.
  While the organization sells Amish Cabin and other style libraries on its website (www.littlefreelibrary.org) it also offers free plans, detailed information and encourages volunteers to create their own designs.
  He read about Little Free Library and followed directions on the website.
  “They give you an idea on the size. Some are painted to look like barns. Some are two stories. One in Minnesota has birch bark siding,” Moe says, who decided to go with a cabin theme.
  He built a box out of scrap plywood and covered it with tarpaper. He peeled and split cedar sticks to create log siding and purchased a few cedar shims to make shingles for the roof. He built the front out of plywood, with a door made of treated lumber and a purchased piece of Plexiglas.
  He mailed in $35 to register his library and received an official plaque and promotional material.
  “I live on a frontage road so a lot of people walk by or are on bikes or inline skates,” Moe says. “Once they know it’s there, they stop and look.”
  His library holds about 20 books that he and friends provide. While most libraries request readers put books back, Moe says it’s common for summer visitors to take the books with them. Often people take one book and leave three.
  As a reader himself, Moe has been pleased at the response to his library.
  “It’s a community builder kind of thing,” he says. “I’m kind of surprised how much it is used, and how people stop to talk to me now. I’m meeting my neighbors.”
  He added that the libraries can also be placed in public locations, with permission- such as township halls, churches and businesses.
  “In a country setting you could make it look like a feed store, implement dealer, country store, barn, etc.,” Moe suggests. “I think it’s helpful to have it eye catching so people will wonder what ‘that thing is’ and upon investigation discover it has books in it.”
  Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Cal Moe, 22344 Co. Rd. 80, Nevis, Minn. 56467

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Start Your Own Little Library BUILDINGS Miscellaneous Anybody can build a mini library says Cal Moe and you’ll likely get to know your neighbors better because of it Last winter the Nevis Minn resident built the 5 162nd neighborhood library for Little Free Library a volunteer-run grassroots organization started in Wisconsin that now has registered “libraries” throughout the world Moe’s 12 by 20 in log cabin style library holds just a few books that people in the neighborhood can borrow or add their own books to While the organization sells Amish Cabin and other style libraries on its website www littlefreelibrary org it also offers free plans detailed information and encourages volunteers to create their own designs He read about Little Free Library and followed directions on the website “They give you an idea on the size Some are painted to look like barns Some are two stories One in Minnesota has birch bark siding ” Moe says who decided to go with a cabin theme He built a box out of scrap plywood and covered it with tarpaper He peeled and split cedar sticks to create log siding and purchased a few cedar shims to make shingles for the roof He built the front out of plywood with a door made of treated lumber and a purchased piece of Plexiglas He mailed in $35 to register his library and received an official plaque and promotional material “I live on a frontage road so a lot of people walk by or are on bikes or inline skates ” Moe says “Once they know it’s there they stop and look ” His library holds about 20 books that he and friends provide While most libraries request readers put books back Moe says it’s common for summer visitors to take the books with them Often people take one book and leave three As a reader himself Moe has been pleased at the response to his library “It’s a community builder kind of thing ” he says “I’m kind of surprised how much it is used and how people stop to talk to me now I’m meeting my neighbors ” He added that the libraries can also be placed in public locations with permission- such as township halls churches and businesses “In a country setting you could make it look like a feed store implement dealer country store barn etc ” Moe suggests “I think it’s helpful to have it eye catching so people will wonder what ‘that thing is’ and upon investigation discover it has books in it ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Cal Moe 22344 Co Rd 80 Nevis Minn 56467

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