Sharing Stories

Little Library Movement’s success is the free exchange of books. The love of reading is at the core of its magic, and rotation of books invites regular users. A library’s very presence inspires motivation for reading, like a monument made from the pages of friendly neighbors.

My late brother, Todd Bol (d.10-18-18), was both frustrated and flattered every time a new Little Free Library organization popped up and caught his attention. As founder of the little library movement, he was frustrated because he wanted their mission and quality to be in the right spirit and aligned with the principles of his sharing vision, and was flattered because a new Little Free Library offshoot was proof that his grassroots movement was taking on a life of its own.

Are you seeing it? In these self-isolating times, hope can seem like a mighty small seed.

Each little library has a conversation with its neighborhood, and they have lots to say. After visiting hundreds of little libraries in different states, I have reviewed a range of notes taped to library windows and instructions from stewards that activate a local exchange box. I have looked for the reoccurring trends about little library messages and made a few observations along the way.

My aunt, the wife of Little Free Library’s founder Todd Bol, has lived life in a sphere of self discovery. Susan Bol has worked as an educator for thirty-eight years, and currently fulfills the role of a speech pathologist for special education high school students. As both a teacher and a speech pathologist she not only directs purpose and opens thoughts, but provides students with the actual words needed to convey said purpose and thought, or as she concisely puts it, “communication is key”.

Todd Bol (1956-2018) started the Little Free Library Movement in 2009. At that time he was unemployed and messing around with scrap lumber from an old garage door. His late mom – a retired school teacher – loved to read, and Todd was looking for a way to give her collection of books renewed value by sharing them with neighbors.